bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning and Teaching Styles for Teaching Effectiveness
Authors: Arora Anshu Saxena , Leseane Reginald , Raisinghani Mahesh S.
Published: October 2011

Students do not have homogeneous learning patterns, their learning styles and preferences vary, their cognitive abilities vary; similarly instructors employ different teaching methods. This research explores the linkages between learning and teaching styles by using the Felder-Solomon Index of Learning Styles and CORD’s teaching style inventories to match and expand the learning and teaching styles interpretation from the learners’ perspective. This research provides practical implications for educators to think about how their students learn and what would be the best instructional methods for their learners.
An Exploratory Study of Blended Learning Activities in Two Classes
Authors: Ng Eugenia M.W.
Published: October 2011

Though there are a number of research studies on the adoption of a blended learning approach to enhance learning, few comparative studies have examined the use of this approach for inter-class activities. Two undergraduate classes at different levels of study participated in an online discussion, an online debate, and two face-to-face debates. Data were gathered for triangulated analysis from a questionnaire that solicited participants’ opinions, from focus group meetings, and from tracked statistics provided by the learning platform. The tracked statistics showed that the participants often read online postings but not many of them expressed their opinions online. Both the responses to the questionnaire and the opinions expressed in the focus group meetings showed that they preferred a face-to-face approach to an online learning approach. Furthermore, the students embraced the opportunity to interact with another class when preparing and having face-to-face debate.
Research Essay
Authors: Singh Jaspreet
Published: October 2011

Java based Portals have come a long way. The inception of open portlet standards, like JSR168 and the more open JSR286, has led to their wider adoption across verticals and horizontals. Now, Java EE and non-standard MVC frameworks are becoming available for Portlet programming and part of portal applications. The design and development of portal applications is increasingly being done in the light of openness, connectivity, context sharing, and joint presentation. Thus, portals are now finding themselves in a tighter coupling with not just the rest of Java EE but also web 2.0 actors. With this, the challenges faced in portal application development have gone several notches up. A modern day portal tooling has the important tasks of bridging the gap and reducing the learning curve of the Java EE and core java converts, as well as making sure that the MVC frameworks work smoothly and seamlessly on modern day portals. This article examines one such MVC framework JSF and its applicability to portal development over the course of its versions 1.2 and 2.0. The author examines how a popular MVC framework like JSF is changing the way portal applications are being thought of, architected, designed, and implemented. In the same context, a modern day portal tooling in the IBM Rational Application Developer is examined.
Eidsvoll 1814
Authors: Prasolova-Forland Ekaterina , Hov Ole Ørjan
Published: October 2011

3D Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs) or virtual worlds have been widely used in educational settings for the purposes of simulation and demonstration of scientific concepts, art and historical events that for practical reasons may be complicated in real-life classrooms. This paper describes an experience of recreating a central event in Norwegian history, adoption of Norwegian constitution at Eidsvoll in 1814, in the virtual world of Second Life. The historical building where this event took place was reconstructed and used as a part of an online history course where Norwegian students residing all over the world could meet at Virtual Eidsvoll, play the role of the members of the Constituent Assembly and pass the constitution. Following the description of the experience with the Virtual Eidsvoll project, the authors conclude with a critical discussion of using 3D CVEs for history education, outlining directions for future work.
An Initial Examination of Free and Proprietary Software-Selection in Organizations
Authors: Sticklen Damien J. , Issa Theodora
Published: October 2011

This article presents the findings of a study concerning organisational software-selection in the context of proprietary and “Free Software”. Proprietary software with its inherent benefits and drawbacks remains dominant over Free Software in many business contexts. In contrast, the arrival of disruptive approaches to applying technology, such as cloud-computing, almost certainly mandates a heterogeneous software environment. However, this paper abstracts to the organisational context, as opposed to solely concentrating on the technical aspects, so that broader issues surrounding both proprietary software and Free Software adoption are brought into focus and may provide academics and practitioners with insight into what many would consider an information technology-centric matter. Contemporary multi-disciplinary literature addressing the areas of software-selection methodology, architectures for service delivery, and software types, are combined with recent findings from primary research in order to draw initial conclusions on the current state of software-selection in organisations.
Tumor Stress Inside Out: Cell-Extrinsic Effects of the Unfolded Protein Response in Tumor Cells Modulate the Immunological Landscape of the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Mahadevan Navin R. , Zanetti Maurizio
Published: October 2011

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a eukaryotic cellular adaptive mechanism that functions to cope with stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Accumulating evidence demonstrates that the tumor microenvironment contains stressors that elicit a UPR, which has been demonstrated to be a cell-intrinsic mechanism crucial for tumorigenesis. In addition, the UPR is a source of proinflammatory signaling whose downstream mediators may hamper antitumor immunity. We discuss how the UPR may impair Ag presentation, which could result in defective T cell priming, also leading to tumor escape and growth. Further, we discuss the recent finding that ER stress and attendant proinflammation can be transmitted from ER-stressed tumor cells to myeloid cells. The ideas presented suggest that, in addition to being a cell-intrinsic mechanism of tumor survival, the tumor UPR can serve as a cell-extrinsic regulator of tumorigenesis by remodeling the immune response in the tumor microenvironment.
Clearance and Safety of the Radiocontrast Medium Iopamidol in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Hatakeyama Shingo , Abe Akihiko , Suzuki Takehiro , Hashimoto Yasuhiro , Koie Takuya , Funyu Tomihisa , Satoh Shigeru , Habuchi Tomonori , Ohyama Chikara , Matsuo Shigeki
Published: October 2011

Although the characteristics and safety of radiocontrast media in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are not yet well defined, their use in PD patients is considered generally safe. In this study, we evaluated clearance and adverse events of iopamidol in PD patients. We measured the iopamidol concentration in the plasma, dialysate, and urine of 11 patients. Iopamidol clearance from patient plasma was delayed with a half-life of 33.3 h, and the elimination ratio was 83.6% for 96 h. We retrospectively investigated adverse events occurring in a total of 50 stable PD patients who underwent a total of 64 angiographic computed tomography (CT) scans. In 64 angiographic CT scans, two cases of adverse events were observed. Our results suggest that iopamidol can be eliminated by regular PD and careful observation for adverse events are necessary for the safe use of radiocontrast media.
Deep Brain Stimulation of Caudal Zona Incerta and Subthalamic Nucleus in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: Effects on Voice Intensity
Authors: Lundgren Sofie , Saeys Thomas , Karlsson Fredrik , Olofsson Katarina , Blomstedt Patric , Linder Jan , Nordh Erik , Zafar Hamayun , van Doorn Jan
Published: October 2011

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) affects speech inconsistently. Recently, stimulation of the caudal zona incerta (cZi-DBS) has shown superior motor outcomes for PD patients, but effects on speech have not been systematically investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cZi-DBS and STN-DBS on voice intensity in PD patients. Mean intensity during reading and intensity decay during rapid syllable repetition were measured for STN-DBS and cZi-DBS patients (eight patients per group), before- and 12 months after-surgery on- and off-stimulation. For mean intensity, there were small significant differences on- versus off-stimulation in each group: 74.2 (2.0) dB contra 72.1 (2.2) dB () for STN-DBS, and 71.6 (4.1) dB contra 72.8 (3.4) dB () for cZi-DBS, with significant interaction (). Intensity decay showed no significant changes. The subtle differences found for mean intensity suggest that STN-DBS and cZi-DBS may influence voice intensity differently.
The Cellular Prion Protein Prevents Copper‐Induced Inhibition of P2X4 Receptors
Authors: Lorca Ramón A. , Varela-Nallar Lorena , Inestrosa Nibaldo C. , Huidobro-Toro J. Pablo
Published: October 2011

Although the physiological function of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) remains unknown, several evidences support the notion of its role in copper homeostasis. PrPC binds Cu2+ through a domain composed by four to five repeats of eight amino acids. Previously, we have shown that the perfusion of this domain prevents and reverses the inhibition by Cu2+ of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐evoked currents in the P2X4 receptor subtype, highlighting a modulatory role for PrPC in synaptic transmission through regulation of Cu2+ levels. Here, we study the effect of full‐length PrPC in Cu2+ inhibition of P2X4 receptor when both are coexpressed. PrPC expression does not significantly change the ATP concentration‐response curve in oocytes expressing P2X4 receptors. However, the presence of PrPC reduces the inhibition by Cu2+ of the ATP‐elicited currents in these oocytes, confirming our previous observations with the Cu2+ binding domain. Thus, our observations suggest a role for PrPC in modulating synaptic activity through binding of extracellular Cu2+.
Introducing Human APOE into Aβ Transgenic Mouse Models
Authors: Tai Leon M. , Youmans Katherine L. , Jungbauer Lisa , Yu Chunjiang , LaDu Mary Jo
Published: October 2011

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) and apoE/amyloid‐β (Aβ) transgenic (Tg) mouse models are critical to understanding apoE‐isoform effects on Alzheimer′s disease risk. Compared to wild type, apoE−/− mice exhibit neuronal deficits, similar to apoE4‐Tg compared to apoE3‐Tg mice, providing a model for Aβ‐independent apoE effects on neurodegeneration. To determine the effects of apoE on Aβ‐induced neuropathology, apoE−/− mice were crossed with Aβ‐Tg mice, resulting in a significant delay in plaque deposition. Surprisingly, crossing human‐apoE‐Tg mice with apoE−/−/Aβ‐Tg mice further delayed plaque deposition, which eventually developed in apoE4/Aβ‐Tg mice prior to apoE3/Aβ‐Tg. One approach to address hAPOE‐induced temporal delay in Aβ pathology is an additional insult, like head injury. Another is crossing human‐apoE‐Tg mice with Aβ‐Tg mice that have rapid‐onset Aβ pathology. For example, because 5xFAD mice develop plaques by 2 months, the prediction is that human‐apoE/5xFAD‐Tg mice develop plaques around 6 months and 12 months before other human‐apoE/Aβ‐Tg mice. Thus, tractable models for human‐apoE/Aβ‐Tg mice continue to evolve.
Copper Inhibits NMDA Receptor‐Independent LTP and Modulates the Paired‐Pulse Ratio after LTP in Mouse Hippocampal Slices
Authors: Salazar-Weber Nina L. , Smith Jeffrey P.
Published: October 2011

Copper misregulation has been implicated in the pathological processes underlying deterioration of learning and memory in Alzheimer′s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Supporting this, inhibition of long‐term potentiation (LTP) by copper (II) has been well established, but the exact mechanism is poorly characterized. It is thought that an interaction between copper and postsynaptic NMDA receptors is a major part of the mechanism; however, in this study, we found that copper (II) inhibited NMDA receptor‐independent LTP in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices. In addition, in the CA3 and CA1 regions, copper modulated the paired‐pulse ratio (PPR) in an LTP‐dependent manner. Combined, this suggests the involvement of a presynaptic mechanism in the modulation of synaptic plasticity by copper. Inhibition of the copper‐dependent changes in the PPR with cyclothiazide suggested that this may involve an interaction with the presynaptic AMPA receptors that regulate neurotransmitter release.
Lymphangiogenesis and Axillary Lymph Node Metastases Correlated with VEGF-C Expression in Two Immunocompetent Mouse Mammary Carcinoma Models
Authors: Ito Yuko , Shibata Masa-Aki , Eid Nabil , Morimoto Junji , Otsuki Yoshinori
Published: October 2011

Lymphangiogenesis and the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor C (VEGF-C) in tumors have been considered to be causally promoting lymphatic metastasis. There are only a few studies on lymphatic metastasis in immunocompetent allograft mouse models. To study the relationship between VEGF-C-mediated lymphangiogenesis and axillary lymph node metastasis, we used two mouse mammary carcinoma cell lines; the BJMC338 has a low metastatic propensity, whereas the BJMC3879 has a high metastatic propensity although it originated from the former cell line. Each cell line was injected separately into two groups of female BALB/cmice creatingin vivomammary cancer models. The expression level of VEGF-C in BJMC3879 was higher than BJMC338. As the parent cell line, BJMC3879-derived tumors showed higher expression of VEGF-C compared to BJMC338-derived tumors. This higher expression of VEGF-C in BJMC3879-derived tumors was associated with marked increase in infiltrating macrophages and enhanced expression of lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1) reflecting increased tumoral lymphatic density and subsequent induction of axillary lymph node metastasis. Our mouse mammary carcinoma models are allotransplanted tumors showing the same axillary lymph node metastatic spectrum as human breast cancers. Therefore, our mouse models are ideal for exploring the various molecular mechanisms of cancer metastasis.
64-Year-Old Male with Septic Arthritis of the Pubic Symphysis
Authors: Konik Ewa , Bauer Brent , Lee Mark
Published: October 2011

Septic arthritis of the pubic symphysis is a rare disease. Typical clinical features include fever, pubic or groin pain, pain with hip motion, and painful or waddling gait. Identified predisposing factors to develop an infection in pubic joint include female incontinence surgery or postpartum period; sports, especially soccer; pelvic malignancy; and intravenous drug abuse. The most often identified microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Osteomyelitis complicates the majority of cases, and about half of the patients require surgical debridement along with a prolonged antibiotic treatment. We report a case of Streptococcus anginosus septic arthritis of the pubic symphysis. The patient did not have any of the above risk factors.
Hydrothermal dolomites in Hudson Bay platform: preliminary field and geochemical data
Authors: Lavoie D , Zhang S , Pinet N
Published: October 2011

Hydrothermal dolostone is one of the major producing hydrocarbon reservoirs in intracratonic basins in North America. The Hudson Platform is the largest intracratonic basin in North America but it is also the least explored. A first round of exploration took
place from 1968-1985 period and resulted with the drilling of 5 dry wells in the central part of Hudson Bay and a few dry wells onshore Manitoba and Ontario. The first round of exploration occurred before the recognition of the economic significance of fault-controlled dolostone bodies.
Fault-controlled porous dolostone and dolostone breccia, interpreted to be hydrothermal have been identified at two localities along the northern shore of Southampton Island (northern Hudson Bay). The dolostone breccia is partly cemented by saddle dolomite cement with up to 25% open pore space.
In a well drilled near the town of Churchill in NE Manitoba, a 14 m interval of brecciated dolostone with dissolution porosity and partial infill by saddle dolomite cement was identified. In one part of this interval, dolomitization and silicification are physically associated to a vertical fracture
that has been crosscut by the core. Oxygen and carbon stable isotope analyses of the dolomite cement yielded very negative ?18O ratios similar to those of coeval hydrothermal dolomite in other intracratonic basins. In the absence of microthermometric fluid inclusion data, the interpretation as being
the result of precipitation from a high temperature fluid is still a working hypothesis. The delta13C ratios can be very negative, a situation commonly associated with the presence of biogenic-derived bicarbonate ions in the diagenetic fluid. The delta18O ratios of groundmass fabric-retentive
dolomite have been acquired to compare with those of the saddle dolomite; the former yielded slightly more negative values than those of Upper Ordovician seawater and suggest that groundmass dolomitization likely proceeded from near marine fluid at slightly elevated
temperature.
Early Mitoxantrone-Induced Cardiotoxicity Detected in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Namaka M.P. , Turcotte D.A. , Klowak M. , Leong C.M. , Grossberndt A. , Le Dorze J-A. , Prout M.E. , Andresen S. , Vuong L. , Melanson M.J. , Frost E.E. , Doupe M.
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose

Mitoxantrone (MX) (Novantrone®) is approved in Canada for certain refractory cancers and acute non-lymphocytic leukemias. It has FDA approval as an immunomodulatory agent for use in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). The general aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of MX in SPMS.

Experimental approach

A single-centre, open-label, non-randomized study was conducted in patients with a ≥6 month history of SPMS. The primary parameters used to assess efficacy and safety were EDSS scores and the multiple-gated acquisition scan (MUGA) scores, respectively.

Key results

The MX-treatment group experienced a high dropout rate due to significantly reduced ventricular ejection fraction. EDSS scores from baseline to follow-up revealed no statistical difference between active control and MX-treatment groups. Conclusion: MX treatment may not slow disease progression in certain forms of SPMS and may be associated with a high risk of cardiotoxicity.
Severe Acute Endogenous Endophthalmitis with Staphylococcus Epidermidis in a Systemically Well Patient
Authors: Whist Eline , Hollenbach Eugene , Dunlop Anthony
Published: October 2011

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a devastating intraocular infection caused by haematogenous spread of bacteria or fungi, usually in people with immune deficiency. This case report is unusual as a systemically well patient with normal immune function and no identifiable locus of infection rapidly developed a fulminant endogenous endophthalmitis from an organism which does not usually produce aggressive virulence determinants. Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis is an ongoing diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for ophthalmologists as it is relatively rare, often initially presents as uveitis, and requires a high index of suspicion for prompt diagnosis and treatment. The treatment of endogenous endophthalmitis is still controversial due to a lack of clinical trials. Potential treatments include systemic antibiotics, peri-ocular injections, intravitreal injection of antibiotics and possibly corticosteroids, pars plana vitrectomy, or a combination of some of these.
(Un)Usual Neolithic and Early Eneolithic mortuary practices in the area of the North Carpathian Basin
Authors: Bistáková Alena , Pažinová Noémi
Published: October 2011

On the basis of the characteristics of Neolithic and Early Eneolithic mortuary practices in the area of North Carpathian Basin it can be argued that the existence of graveyards is an isolated phenomenon. Various rituals were involved in disposing of the dead. In this article, we focus on (un)usual burials which are singled out into two major categories: cremation and inhumation. Special emphasis is given to cremation as a mortuary practice: arguments for cremation; interpretation possibilities; examples of the use of fire and noticed phenomenon.
Mounds and rituals in the Jomon Period
Authors: Kawashima Takamune
Published: October 2011

I will examine the possibility that earthen mounds were the result of ritual acts in the Jomon period. In the Kanto district, ring-shaped earthen mounds developed in the Late and the Latest Jomon settlements. While the number of settlements decreased from the Middle Jomon, abundant ritual artefacts have been discovered in settlements and deposits adjacent to the mounds. Burnt soil, charcoal, and burnt bone contained in the mounds could be the remains of feasting. As food processing facilities and vessels increased in the Late Jomon, I assert that the development of feasting led to the formation of the mounds.
Dance in Prehistoric Europe
Authors: Garfinkel Yosef
Published: October 2011

Indications for dancing activities in prehistoric Europe appeared as early as modern humans, at the start of the Upper Palaeolithic era. However, only limited data are available for this stage. In the Neolithic period, evidence for dancing appeared at many more sites, but the territory is confined to south-eastern Europe. The dancing in this case is probably part of the ‘Neolithic pack- age’, which diffused from the Near East.
The representation of phalli in Neolithic Thessaly, Greece
Authors: Nanoglou Stratos
Published: October 2011

This paper is an attempt to elucidate a rather understudied aspect of Neolithic imagery from Thessaly, Greece, objects representing phalli, and at the same time to consider the possibility that gender was not a prominent structuring principle in the past, allowing for the fact that phalli did not elicit a pervasive binary categorization of bodies, but instead were invoked in specific circumstances with particular objectives.
Monuments and monumentality: the cosmological model of the world of megaliths
Authors: Midgley Magdalena S.
Published: October 2011

Neolithic monuments are physical and conceptual expressions of ideas about the nature of the world inhabited by early north European farmers. This contribution explores the complex symbolism encoded in megalithic architecture, and the socio-ritual interactions within which megaliths offered venues for public gatherings in which individuals participated singly or as members of larger groups. By bringing communities together – be it in thanksgiving, worship or pilgrimage – megaliths bridged the gap between the immediate, quotidian and local realities of life and the anomalous entities of the multi-dimensional universe in which past, present and future were given tangible permanence.
In search of rituals and group dynamics: correspondence analyses of Neolithic grave fields on the Island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Wallin Paul
Published: October 2011

In this paper, I analyze two Neolithic grave fields on Gotland (at Visby and Västerbjers) belonging to the Scandinavian Pitted Ware culture. The burials at the two sites are of males and females from all different age groups. They were buried with some variability concerning grave rituals and grave gifts. The aim of this paper is therefore to make a relational multi-varied Correspondence Analysis of the individuals and their artefact variations to enable new contextual interpretations.
Rituals and death cults in recent prehistory in Central Portugal (Alto Ribatejo)
Authors: Figueiredo Alexandra
Published: October 2011

The present paper aims to give a general outline of new data that contributes to a better understanding of cults and rituals in Alto Ribatejo, central Portugal, during recent prehistory. The Megalithic Complex of Rego da Murta is the only megalithic set known so far in the Upper Nabão region, and is therefore of crucial significance to understanding the population dynamics of the people who inhabited this region. The excellent preservation of deposition contexts – especially those in Dolmen II of Rego da Murta, and its relative proximity with the cave contexts – makes it the perfect case study for understanding the burial rites performed in this period.
An Evaluation of the Usability of a Computerized Decision Support System for Nursing Homes
Authors: Ehnfors M. , Fruhling A. , Ehrenberg A. , Fossum M.
Published: October 2011

Background: Computerized decision support systems (CDSSs) have the potential to significantly improve the quality of nursing care of older people by enhancing the decision making of nursing personnel. Despite this potential, health care organizations have been slow to incorporate CDSSs into nursing home practices.

Objective: This study describes facilitators and barriers that impact the ability of nursing personnel to effectively use a clinical CDSS for planning and treating pressure ulcers (PUs) and malnutrition and for following the suggested risk assessment guidelines for the care of nursing home residents.

Methods: We employed a qualitative descriptive design using varied methods, including structured group interviews, cognitive walkthrough observations and a graphical user interface (GUI) usability evaluation. Group interviews were conducted with 25 nursing personnel from four nursing homes in southern Norway. Five nursing personnel participated in cognitive walkthrough observations and the GUI usability evaluation. Text transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Group interview participants reported that ease of use, usefulness and a supportive work environment were key facilitators of CDSS use. The barriers identified were lack of training, resistance to using computers and limited integration of the CDSS with the facility’s electronic health record (EHR) system. Key findings from the usability evaluation also identified the difficulty of using the CDSS within the EHR and the poorly designed GUI integration as barriers.

Conclusion: Overall, we found disconnect between two types of nursing personnel. Those who were comfortable with computer technology reported positive feedback about the CDSS, while others expressed resistance to using the CDSS for various reasons. This study revealed that organizations must invest more resources in educating nursing personnel on the seriousness of PUs and poor nutrition in the elderly, providing specialized CDSS training and ensuring that nursing personnel have time in the workday to use the CDSS.
Simulating deep convection with a shallow convection scheme
Authors: Hohenegger C. , Bretherton C. S.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Convective processes profoundly affect the global water and energy balance of our planet but remain a challenge for global climate modeling. Here we develop and investigate the suitability of a unified convection scheme, capable of handling both shallow and deep convection, to simulate cases of tropical oceanic convection, mid-latitude continental convection, and maritime shallow convection. To that aim, we employ large-eddy simulations (LES) as a benchmark to test and refine a unified convection scheme implemented in the Single-column Community Atmosphere Model (SCAM). Our approach is motivated by previous cloud-resolving modeling studies, which have documented the gradual transition between shallow and deep convection and its possible importance for the simulated precipitation diurnal cycle. Analysis of the LES reveals that differences between shallow and deep convection, regarding cloud-base properties as well as entrainment/detrainment rates, can be related to the evaporation of precipitation. Parameterizing such effects and accordingly modifying the University of Washington shallow convection scheme, it is found that the new unified scheme can represent both shallow and deep convection as well as tropical and mid-latitude continental convection. Compared to the default SCAM version, the new scheme especially improves relative humidity, cloud cover and mass flux profiles. The new unified scheme also removes the well-known too early onset and peak of convective precipitation over mid-latitude continental areas.
Enhancement and depletion of lower/middle tropospheric ozone in Senegal during pre-monsoon and monsoon periods of summer 2008: observations and model results
Authors: Jenkins G. S. , Ndiaye S. , Gueye M. , Fitzhugh R. , Smith J. W. , Kebe A.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. During the summer (8 June through 3 September) of 2008, 9 ozonesondes are launched from Dakar, Senegal (14.75° N, 17.49° W) to investigate ozone (O3) variability in the lower/middle troposphere during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods. Results during June 2008 (pre-monsoon period) show a reduction in O3 concentrations, especially in the 850–700 hPa layer with Saharan Air Layer (SAL) events. However, O3 concentrations are increased in the 950–900 hPa layer where the peak of the inversion is found and presumably the highest dust concentrations. We also use the WRF-CHEM model to gain greater insights for observations of elevated/reduced O3 concentrations during the pre-monsoon/monsoon periods. In the transition period between 26 June and 2 July in the lower troposphere (925–600 hPa), a significant increase in O3 concentrations occur which we suggest is caused by enhanced biogenic NOx emissions from Sahelian soils following rain events on 28 June and 1 July. During July and August 2008 (monsoon period), with the exception of one SAL outbreak, vertical profiles of O3 are well mixed with concentrations not exceeding 55 ppb between the surface and 550 hPa. The results suggest that during the pre-monsoon period ozone concentrations in the lower troposphere are controlled by the SAL, which destroys ozone through heterogeneous processes. At the base of the SAL we also find elevated levels of ozone, which we attribute to biogenic sources of NOx from Saharan dust that are released in the presence of moist conditions. Once the monsoon period commences, wet and dry deposition become important sinks of ozone in the Sahel with episodes of ozone poor air that is horizontally transported from low latitudes into the Sahel. These results support aircraft chemical measurements and chemical modeling results from the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) field campaign.
Five-year record of atmospheric precipitation chemistry in urban Beijing, China
Authors: Yang F. , Tan J. , Shi Z. B. , Cai Y. , He K. , Ma Y. , Duan F. , Okuda T. , Tanaka S. , Chen G. , Bai L.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Precipitation samples on an event basis were collected from March 2001 through August 2005 at an urban location in Beijing. Ionic species in the samples were measured with ion chromatography to understand the long-term changes in the precipitation chemistry and their causes. Most precipitation samples had an intermediate pH (6.1–7.3) and 16% were acidic. As the major ions, SO42− plus NO3−, and NH4+ plus Ca2+ comprised more than 80% of anionic and cationic mass, respectively. Different from their more or less reductions of gaseous precursors, the counterintuitive features of much less than expected decrease in SO42− levels and unexpected increase in NO3− concentrations in the precipitations are likely due to the combination of enhanced conversion of gaseous precursors to acid compounds, and increased regional transport. The average ratio of neutralizing to acidifying potential (i.e. NP/AP) was as high as 1.2 but it exhibited a significant decline pattern, indicative of a long-term increasing trend in the acidifying potential of the wet depositions. This is mainly ascribed to reduced input of two major alkaline agents – NH4+ and Ca2+ – over increased input of a minor alkaline agent – Mg2+ – according to the magnitudes of their neutralization factors. The equivalent mass ratio of NO3− to nss-SO42− presented an evident increasing trend with a still low mean value of 0.37 ± 0.11. This indicates that the relative contribution of NO3− to the wet deposition acidity was strengthened in recent years while the precipitation acidity in Beijing was still overwhelmingly from sulfur but not nitrogen.
Improved identification of clouds and ice/snow covered surfaces in SCIAMACHY observations
Authors: Krijger J. M. , Tol P. , Istomina L. G. , Schlundt C. , Schrijver H. , Aben I.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. In the ultra-violet, visible and near infra-red wavelength range the presence of clouds can strongly affect the satellite-based passive remote sensing observation of constituents in the troposphere, because clouds effectively shield the lower part of the atmosphere. Therefore, cloud detection algorithms are of crucial importance in satellite remote sensing. However, the detection of clouds over snow/ice surfaces is particularly difficult in the visible wavelengths as both clouds an snow/ice are both white and highly reflective. The SCIAMACHY Polarisation Measurement Devices (PMD) Identification of Clouds and Ice/snow method (SPICI) uses the SCIAMACHY measurements in the wavelength range between 450 nm and 1.6 μm to make a distinction between clouds and ice/snow covered surfaces, specifically developed to identify cloud-free SCIAMACHY observations. For this purpose the on-board SCIAMACHY PMDs are used because they provide higher spatial resolution compared to the main spectrometer measurements. In this paper we expand on the original SPICI algorithm (Krijger et al., 2005a) to also adequately detect clouds over snow-covered forests which is inherently difficult because of the similar spectral characteristics. Furthermore the SCIAMACHY measurements suffer from degradation with time. This must be corrected for adequate performance of SPICI over the full SCIAMACHY time range. Such a correction is described here. Finally the performance of the new SPICI algorithm is compared with various other datasets, such as from FRESCO, MICROS and AATSR, focusing on the algorithm improvements.
Early Portuguese meteorological records (18th century)
Authors: Alcoforado M. J. , Vaquero J. M. , Trigo R. M. , Taborda J. P.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Natural proxies, documentary evidence and instrumental data are the main sources used to reconstruct past climates. In this paper, we present the 18th century meteorologists (either Portuguese or foreigners), who made the first observations at several sites in Continental Portugal, Madeira Island and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), from 1749 until 1802. Information is given concerning observation site, variables observed, measurement period, methodologies and sources (both manuscript and printed). Some examples from the data usefulness are given: rainfall variability in Madeira (1749–1753) and in Continental Portugal (1781–1793) was reconstructed, allowing to extend towards the late 18th century the well known negative correlation between the NAO index and seasonal rainfall. Furthermore, previously unpublished data for 1783–1784 has allowed analysing the consequences of the Laki eruption in Portugal: foggy and haze days are referred to in summer 1783, but unlike the hot summer observed in Northern and Central Europe, temperatures in Portugal were lower than average. Additionally, observations from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil show that the Laki consequences may well have spread to sectors of the Southern Hemisphere. Although the series are short, the data will be used for climate reconstruction studies focused in Southern Portugal and are also useful to improve the quality of large scale reconstruction datasets.
Bacterial GDGTs in Holocene sediments and catchment soils of a high-alpine lake: application of the MBT/CBT-paleothermometer
Authors: Niemann H. , Stadnitskaia A. , Wirth S. B. , Gilli A. , Anselmetti F. S. , Sinninghe Damsté J. S. , Schouten S. , Hopmans E. C. , Lehmann M. F.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. A novel proxy for continental mean annual air temperature (MAAT) and soil-pH, the MBT/CBT-paleothermometer, is based on the temperature (T) and pH-dependent distribution of specific bacterial membrane lipids (branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers – GDGTs) in soil organic matter. Here, we tested the applicability of the MBT/CBT-paleothermometer to sediments from Lake Cadagno, a small high-alpine lake in southern Switzerland with a small catchment of 2.4 km2. We analysed the distribution of bacterial GDGTs in catchment soils and in a radiocarbon-dated sediment core from the centre of the lake, covering the entire Holocene. The composition of bacterial GDGTs in soils are almost identical to that in the lake's surface sediments, indicating a common origin of the lipids. Consequently, their transfer from the soils into the sediment record is undisturbed, apparently without any significant alteration of their distribution through in situ production or early diagenesis of branched GDGTs. The MBT/CBT-inferred MAAT-estimates from soils and surface sediments are in good agreement with instrumental values for the Lake Cadagno region (~0.5 °C). Moreover, downcore MBT/CBT-derived MAAT-estimates match in timing and magnitude other proxy-based T-reconstructions from nearby locations for the last two millennia. Major climate anomalies recorded by the MBT/CBT-paleothermometer are, for instance, the Little Ice Age (~14th to 19th century) and the Medieval Warm Period (~10th to 14th century). Together, our observations confirm the applicability of the MBT/CBT-paleothermometer to Lake Cadagno sediments. Consistent with other T-records from both the Alps and from the subpolar NE-Atlantic, our lacustrine paleotemperature record indicates Holocene MAAT-variations with an apparent cyclicity of ~2 kyr. The good temporal match of the warm periods determined for the S-Alpine region with NW-European winter precipitation strength implies a strong and far-reaching influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation on continental European Holocene T-variations.
The Value of Duplex Ultrasound in the Prediction of Brachial Dialysis Access Induced Ischemia Syndrome (DAIIS)
Authors: Thermann Florian , Junge Udo
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Dialysis access induced ischemia syndrome (DAIIS) is a serious complication of Vascular Access (VA) surgery. It mainly occurs in brachial VA. The aim of this prospective study was to ascertain whether early detection of DAIIS following brachial VA is possible, enabling immediate therapy.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and three patients undergoing brachial VA-surgery were surveyed. Duplex ultrasound was performed before and directly after surgery and the flow amplitudes of the distal ulnar and radial arteries were measured. Clinical follow up was performed after two months. In addition, specific patient characteristics were assessed.

Results

Sixteen patients (15.5%) developed DAIIS with the need for surgical intervention. Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between post-operative flow amplitudes of the distal arteries measured by duplex ultrasound and the development of DAIIS.

Conclusions

According to our data, measurement of the flow-amplitudes of distal arteries by duplex ultrasound shortly after surgery predicts the development of DAIIS. This makes immediate therapy possible. We recommend early post-operative duplex-ultrasound investigation following the creation of a brachial VA.
Transportation Relationships in the Supply Chain: Questioning Extant Theories and Methods
Authors: Golicic Susan L. , Mentzer John T.
Published: October 2011

Collaborative relationships in the supply chain have been researched in various literatures for decades. This research has drawn on and created numerous constructs and theories describing different relationships, their antecedents and outcomes. Inconsistencies still exist in the phenomena that connect the various constructs as well as how these connections are viewed by the buyer and supplier. The purpose of the current research is to examine these connections using a relationship common to every supply chain—a transportation relationship—thus beginning a discourse on the future of interfirm relationship theories and methods to create and test them. Through a model built using extant theory and a survey of shippers and motor carriers, study results exemplify the potential for clarification that exists in this important area of research faces. Implications for transportation practice and relationship theory as well as opportunities for future research are discussed.
Long‐Term Orientation of International Road Transport Firms in Their Relationship with Shipping Companies: The Case of Short Sea Shipping
Authors: López‐Navarro Miguel Ángel , Moliner‐Tena Miguel Ángel , Rodríguez‐Artola Rosa María
Published: October 2011

The use of short sea shipping by international road transport firms and their transformation into multimodal logistical operators involves substantial adjustments to the operational model these firms have traditionally used. For this reason, their long‐term involvement with this mode of transport will be conditioned by their expectations concerning the future opportunistic behaviors of their new suppliers, the shipping companies. According to transaction cost analysis, this article argues that a road transport firm’s level of uncertainty about the future behavior of a shipping company can be reduced by two main factors: the shipping company’s reputation and the road transport firm’s trust (in this study we distinguish the two dimensions or motives of trust: honesty and benevolence). Using the partial least squares (PLS) approach, and data from a sample of 106 “road transport firm–shipping company” relationships, we estimated a model to analyze the joint effect of trust and reputation dimensions on the long‐term orientation of international road transport firms in their relationships with shipping companies.
Evaluating Transportation Research Journal Quality Using the Author Affiliation Index
Authors: Gorman Michael F. , Kanet John J. , Christ Dominique
Published: October 2011

Previous research by Gorman and Kanet (2011) reports survey responses on transportation‐related research journal quality. In addition to ranking research journal quality, respondents in that survey also provided their opinions regarding the quality of research institutions around the world. We evaluate the consistency of these two responses with the Author Affiliation Index (AAI), which evaluates journal quality by measuring the percentage of authors coming from top research institutions. We find that the AAI produces a journal ranking that is highly correlated with our opinion survey; that is, the best‐rated research institutions publish more frequently in the bestrated journals. Based on these observations, we suggest the AAI is a low‐cost alternative to opinion surveys and other means of journal quality evaluation.
A Survey‐Based Evaluation of Logistics and Transportation Research Journal Quality
Authors: Gorman Michael F. , Kanet John J.
Published: October 2011

We administered a survey of authors who conduct transportation research and have recently published in transportation‐related research journals. The purpose of the survey was to assess the authors’ perceptions of the quality of journals that publish transportation research. We used lists of journals that were included in previous surveys of logistics‐focused researchers. We note that transportation‐related journals cater to a wide audience of researcher disciplines and practitioners. Evaluations of logistics‐related journals have been conducted in the past, but none have surveyed the full community of transportation researchers and journals. In this study 320 such researchers rated 21 journals. For this sample, Transportation Research B was found to be most highly regarded, followed closely by Transportation Science. Following these were Transportation Research A, Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, Naval Research Logistics, Transportation Research C, and Journal of Business Logistics.
PICOT: A Multidomain Protein with Multiple Functions
Authors: Keselman Anna , Pulak Ranjan Nath , Moyal Keren , Isakov Noah
Published: October 2011

The PICOT protein possesses three highly conserved regions that include an aminoterminal thioredoxin-like homology domain and a tandem repeat of a carboxyterminal PICOT homology domain with an overall conformation that resembles a glutaredoxin homology domain. In contrast to the classical dithiol thioredoxins and glutaredoxins, PICOT possesses a single cysteine residue in each of its three domains and is therefore distinct from the classical thioredoxin and glutaredoxin redox enzymes. Recent studies demonstrated that PICOT is a prerequisite for mouse embryogenesis and participates in several independent biological systems in the adult. This paper examines advances made over the past few years in understanding the role of PICOT in various biological systems.
Rethinking Aristotle’s Poetics: The Pragmatic Aspect of Art and Knowledge
Authors: GUPTA ANOOP
Published: October 2011

And in general it is a sign of the man who knows and of the man who does not know that the former can teach, and therefore we think art more truly knowledge than experience is; for the artist can teach, and men of experience cannot.

—Aristotle
Descentralización y voto económico en España
Authors: Lago Peñas Ignacio , Lago Peñas Santiago
Published: October 2011

En este artículo se analiza el voto económico en contextos descentralizados.La existencia de varias arenas de competición política abre lapuerta a los procesos de contaminación electoral vertical, lo que implicaque los electores no juzguen de forma independiente la actuación degobiernos nacionales y regionales. Con datos para España en el período1982-2008, se comprueba que la contaminación electoral tiene lugardesde la arena nacional a la regional, y no al revés. No obstante, estacontaminación electoral tiende a disminuir a medida que se avanza enel proceso de descentralización.
La brecha digital de género en España y Europa: medición con indicadores compuestos
Authors: Castaño Collado Cecilia , Martín Fernández Juan Ángel , Martínez Cantos Jose Luís
Published: October 2011

En esta nota de investigación se presenta un sistema de indicadores compuestosdiseñado para describir la brecha digital de género. Esta herramienta,denominada Sistema de Indicadores de Género y TIC (SIGTIC), entendemosque supone un avance en la medición y análisis de la situacióndiferenciada de mujeres y hombres en la Sociedad de la Información. Suaplicación permite: a) hacer comparaciones inter-género, determinadaspor el grado de e-igualdad; b) realizar análisis intra-género, en funcióndel grado de e-inclusión de cada sexo; y c) contextualizar los resultadosobtenidos con los correspondientes a 31 países europeos. Además, esaperspectiva analítica transnacional se concreta en unos rankings de paísesy su clasificación en cinco categorías en función del nivel de uso de TIC,combinado con el grado de igualdad de género existente.