bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Centrifuge modelling of a buried pipeline below an embankment
Authors: Rammah Khader I. , Oliveira Jose R. M. S. , Almeida Maria C. F. , Almeida Marcio S. S. , Borges Ricardo G.
Published: December 2014

This paper presents the results of physical modelling tests carried out on a geotechnical centrifuge to investigate the influence of an embankment load on the behaviour of a pipeline buried in clayey soil. A series of centrifuge tests was performed on a pipeline model buried in a kaolin–sand soil mixture to model the behaviour of a pipeline crossing below an embankment. The embankment was modelled using unsaturated sand layers built above the kaolin–sand soil. The test set-up allowed the acquisition of both deformations corresponding to the longitudinal bending, and forces developed on the pipe during the consolidation of the soil due to the application of the embankment layers. The influence of pipe embedment was also investigated through tests with different soil heights above the pipe crest. The results indicated that the force transmitted to the pipeline comprises two components: a force due to the self-weight of the soil above the pipe and a force developed owing to soil settlement during the consolidation phase. The force component due to the self-weight of the soil decreased with depth, whereas the force component due to consolidation remained nearly constant. Test results were compared with results obtained from different analytical approaches documented in the literature to understand the behaviour of buried pipelines under similar loading conditions.
Effect of prior loading cycles on vertical bearing capacity of clay
Authors: Vulpe Cristina , White David J.
Published: December 2014

The strength of a foundation on soft clay rises over time due to consolidation under the applied load. This effect can be advantageous in design. Previous studies have identified relationships between the level of monotonic vertical preload, as a proportion of the initial bearing capacity, and the subsequent consolidated bearing capacity. This study explores the influence of cycles of preloading by way of centrifuge model tests, and shows that repeated preloading leads to a further gain in bearing capacity. The gains are more significant if the preloading involves two-way cycles. For the cases explored in this study, the cyclic effect typically adds 50% to the gain in bearing capacity caused by the same preload applied monotonically.
Holger Essler: Glückselig und unsterblich. Epikureische Theologie bei Cicero und Philodem. Mit einer Edition von PHerc. 152/157, Kol. 8–10, Basel: Schwabe 2011. 400 S. (Epicurea. 2.) 60 €.
Authors: Ranocchia Graziano
Published: December 2014

Holger Essler: Glückselig und unsterblich. Epikureische Theologie bei Cicero und Philodem. Mit einer Edition von PHerc. 152/157, Kol. 8–10, Basel: Schwabe 2011. 400 S. (Epicurea. 2.) 60 €.
Tim Stover: Epic and Empire in Vespasianic Rome. A New Reading of Valerius Flaccus’ Argonautica. Oxford: Oxford UP 2012. XI, 244 S. 55 £.
Authors: Castelletti Cristiano
Published: December 2014

Tim Stover: Epic and Empire in Vespasianic Rome. A New Reading of Valerius Flaccus’ Argonautica. Oxford: Oxford UP 2012. XI, 244 S. 55 £.
Mirko Canevaro: The Documents in the Attic Orators. Laws and Decrees in the Public Speeches of the Demosthenic Corpus. With a chapter by E. M. Harris. Oxford: Oxford UP 2013. XVIII, 389 S. 75 £.
Authors: Kapparis Konstantinos A.
Published: December 2014

Mirko Canevaro: The Documents in the Attic Orators. Laws and Decrees in the Public Speeches of the Demosthenic Corpus. With a chapter by E. M. Harris. Oxford: Oxford UP 2013. XVIII, 389 S. 75 £.
Nils Hellner: Die Säulenbasen des zweiten Dipteros von Samos. Grundlage für die Rekonstruktion des Tempels in Seiner Bauphasen. Hrsg. von Hermann J. Kienast. Bonn: Habelt 2009. XIV, 281 S. 28 Abb. 13 Taf. 61 Beil. 4°. (Deutsches Archäologisches Institut. Samos. 26.).
Authors: Pedersen Poul
Published: December 2014

Nils Hellner: Die Säulenbasen des zweiten Dipteros von Samos. Grundlage für die Rekonstruktion des Tempels in Seiner Bauphasen. Hrsg. von Hermann J. Kienast. Bonn: Habelt 2009. XIV, 281 S. 28 Abb. 13 Taf. 61 Beil. 4°. (Deutsches Archäologisches Institut. Samos. 26.).
Valentina Vincenti: La Tomba Bruschi di Tarquinia. Roma: Giorgio Bretschneider Editore 2009. XI, 190 S. 23 Taf. (Materiali del Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Tarquinia. 17. Archaeologica. 150.).
Authors: Weber-Lehmann Cornelia
Published: December 2014

Valentina Vincenti: La Tomba Bruschi di Tarquinia. Roma: Giorgio Bretschneider Editore 2009. XI, 190 S. 23 Taf. (Materiali del Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Tarquinia. 17. Archaeologica. 150.).
A. Wallace-Hadrill: Herculaneum. Darmstadt/Mainz: Philipp von Zabern 2012. 352 S. zahlr. Abb. 4°.
Authors: Guzzo Pier Giovanni
Published: December 2014

A. Wallace-Hadrill: Herculaneum. Darmstadt/Mainz: Philipp von Zabern 2012. 352 S. zahlr. Abb. 4°.
Enemy Aliens, Deportees, Refugees: Internment Practices in the Habsburg Empire, 1914–1918
Authors: Stibbe Matthew
Published: December 2014

Enemy Aliens, Deportees, Refugees: Internment Practices in the Habsburg Empire, 1914–1918

This article explores both the historiography and history of civilian internment in the Habsburg Monarchy between 1914 and 1918, with particular emphasis on the Austrian half of the empire (Cisleithania). It is often assumed that Austro-Hungarian policies towards enemy civilians and «enemies within» were simply a milder variant of a common pattern of intolerant behaviour by belligerent states towards aliens, national outsiders and other minority groups during modern wars. But this assumption is misleading, and Habsburg policies have much to tell us both about the collapse of the Monarchy in 1917/1918 and about the relationship between empirebuilding, ethnic nationalism and the pursuit of military security in border regions more generally.
The past and the present in decision‐making: the use of conspecific and heterospecific cues in nest site selection
Authors: Kivelä Sami M. , Seppänen Janne-Tuomas , Ovaskainen Otso , Doligez Blandine , Gustafsson Lars , Mönkkönen Mikko , Forsman Jukka T.
Published: December 2014

Nest site selection significantly affects fitness, so adaptations for assessment of the qualities of available sites are expected. The assessment may be based on personal or social information, the latter referring to the observed location and performance of both conspecific and heterospecific individuals. Contrary to large‐scale breeding habitat selection, small‐scale nest site selection within habitat patches is insufficiently understood. We analyzed nest site selection in the migratory Collared FlycatcherFicedula albicollisin relation to present and past cues provided by conspecifics and by resident tits within habitat patches by using long‐term data. Collared Flycatchers preferred nest boxes that were occupied by conspecifics in the previous year. This preference was strongest in breeding pairs where both individuals bred in the same forest patch in the previous year. The results also suggest preference for nest boxes close to boxes where conspecifics had a high breeding success in the previous year, and for nest boxes which are presently surrounded by a high number of breeding Great TitsParus major. The results indicate social information use in nest site selection at a small spatial scale, where Collared Flycatchers use conspecific cues with a time lag of one year and heterospecific cues instantly.
Coastal wetland stability maintained through counterbalancing accretionary responses to chronic nutrient enrichment
Authors: Graham Sean A. , Mendelssohn Irving A.
Published: December 2014

The link between anthropogenically modified nutrient loading and coastal wetland stability is not well understood due to limited data from long‐term experiments and inconsistent findings from investigations thus far. In this study, we present results from a 13‐year oligohaline marsh fertilization experiment aimed at determining whether eutrophic conditions compromise ecosystem stability, defined here as the capacity to keep pace with sea level rise and resist the erosive forces of high‐energy meteorologic events. To accomplish this objective, we measured soil surface elevation change and soil shear strength, along with a suite of regulatory processes that included belowground standing crop, belowground decomposition, organic and mineral matter accumulation, soil accretion, and shallow subsidence. Our results identified an apparent compensatory effect of nutrient enrichment on accretionary processes whereby shallow subsidence, attributed to reduced live root standing crop, was balanced by enhanced accretion resulting from greater organic matter accumulation at the soil surface. Consequently, the rate of marsh elevation change measured over a five‐year period was unaffected after more than a decade of experimental nutrient enrichment. Furthermore, the structural integrity of the soil matrix did not deteriorate under elevated nutrient conditions; decomposition rates were similar to control plots, and although live root standing crop was reduced, the root system was evidently stronger, as soil strength tended to increase rather than decrease after nutrients were provided for 13 years. Our data suggest that enhanced nutrient loading is an unlikely destabilizing mechanism in this coastal marsh and possibly others. However, additional long‐term research will be required in a diverse range of habitats and environmental settings before broad‐based, general conclusions concerning the effects of nutrient enrichment on coastal wetland stability can be made with a high degree of certainty.
A new model of landscape‐scale fire connectivity applied to resource and fire management in the Sonoran Desert, USA
Authors: Gray Miranda E. , Dickson Brett G.
Published: December 2014

Understanding where and when on the landscape fire is likely to burn (fire likelihood) and the predicted responses of valued resources (fire effects) will lead to more effective management of wildfire risk in multiple ecosystem types. Fire is a contagious and highly unpredictable process, and an analysis of fire connectivity that incorporates stochasticity may help predict fire likelihood across large extents. We developed a model of fire connectivity based on electrical circuit theory, which is a probabilistic approach to modeling ecological flows. We first parameterized our model to reflect the synergistic influences of fuels, landscape properties, and winds on fire spread in the lower Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona, and then defined this landscape as an interconnected network through which to model flow (i.e., fire spread). We interpreted the mapped outputs as fire likelihood and used historical burned area data to evaluate our results. Expected fire effects were characterized based on the degree to which future fire exposure might negatively impact native plant community recovery, taking into account the impact of repeated fire and major vegetation associations. We explored fire effects within habitat for the endangered Sonoran pronghorn antelope and designated wilderness. Model results indicated that fire likelihood was higher in lower elevations, and in areas with lower slopes and topographic roughness. Fire likelihood and effects were predicted to be high in 21% of the currently occupied range of the Sonoran pronghorn and 15% of the additional habitat considered suitable. Across 16 designated wilderness areas, highest predicted fire likelihood and effects fell within low elevation wilderness areas that overlapped large fire perimeters that occurred in 2005. As ongoing changes in climate and land cover are poised to alter the fire regime across extensive and ecologically important areas in the lower Sonoran Desert, an analysis of fire likelihood and effects can contribute new and important information to fire and fuels management. Our novel approach to modeling fire connectivity addresses challenges in quantifying and communicating wildfire risk and is applicable to other ecosystems and management issues globally.
What is Big Data and Why is it Important?
Authors: Pence Harry E.
Published: December 2014

Big Data Analytics is a topic fraught with both positive and negative potential. Big Data is defined not just by the amount of information involved but also its variety and complexity, as well as the speed with which it must be analyzed or delivered. The amount of data being produced is already incredibly great, and current developments suggest that this rate will only increase in the near future. Improved service should result as companies better understand their customers, but it is also possible that this data will create privacy problems. Thus, Big Data is important not only to students who hope to gain employment using these techniques and those who plan to use it for legitimate research, but also for everyone who will be living and working in the 21st Century.
Creating Interactive Audiences for Student Writers in Large Classes: Blogging on the NewsActivist Learning Network
Authors: Kaldor Eric , Flacks Gabriel
Published: December 2014

This article considers how instructors with larger classes can utilize Web 2.0 tools to help students develop as writers. Meeting the needs of readers defines strong writing, yet students need to interact with authentic audiences to learn to do this well. A growing body of educators is exploring how blogging can be used to enhance student learning. In this article, we describe how a blogging platform, NewsActivist, was used to create an interactive audience for student writers in a large sociology course. The article provides details on course and assignment design to meet major learning outcomes and support student growth as writers. Data from reflective essays and a user survey are presented that demonstrate the value of NewsActivist and its interactive audiences for student writers. The platform was found particularly useful to motivate students to care about their writing and to provide feedback to help students learn.
Scaffolding Complex Learning: Integrating 21st Century Thinking, Emerging Technologies, and Dynamic Design and Assessment to Expand Learning and Communication Opportunities
Authors: O'Connor Eileen , McDonald Frank , Ruggiero Maria
Published: December 2014

Enhanced ways of thinking about learners, learning, and communication in the 21st century across content areas coupled with technologies that can extend the outreach beyond text, time, and geography can accelerate learning and retention in higher education, professional organizations, and learning environments. However, many assumptions about time, situation, learning goals, and learner capabilities have been embedded in face-to-face and online approaches. Thus, when moving to the more dynamic designs available today, instructors, educators, and communicators must also carefully scaffold the environment to integrate effectively these emerging tools and understandings. Otherwise, what could be enriched learning can become confusion and frustration. This article outlines both ways to design and integrate content, learners, technology and communication tools, and assessment, thus enabling dynamic, 21st century learning and ways to scaffold and balance instructional supports, pacing, and interaction-planning thereby providing guidance for the rich learning that is possible in integrated, technology-supported environments.
The Moderating Role of Alienation on the Relation between Social Dominance Orientation, Right-Wing Authoritarianism, and Person-Organization Fit
Authors: Nicol Adelheid A. M. , Rounding Kevin
Published: December 2014

Right-Wing Authoritarianism and Social Dominance Orientation have been found to be related with Person-Organization fit. This study examined whether alienation also plays a role in the relation between Person-Organization fit and these two socio-political attitudes. Measures of Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation, alienation, and Person-Organization fit were given to a sample of Officer Cadets ( N = 99; M age = 22.8 yr., SD = 5.4). The findings suggest that when individuals felt alienated, Social Dominance Orientation and Right-Wing Authoritarianism were not related to Person-Organization fit. When alienation was low, Social Dominance Orientation and Right-Wing Authoritarianism interacted to predict Person-Organization fit. Therefore, feelings of alienation can influence the perception of fit within an organization and the relation between perception of fit with Social Dominance Orientation and Right-Wing Authoritarianism.
Leader-Follower Value Congruence in Social Responsibility and Ethical Satisfaction: A Polynomial Regression Analysis
Authors: Kang Seung-Wan , Byun Gukdo , Park Hun-Joon
Published: December 2014

This paper presents empirical research into the relationship between leader-follower value congruence in social responsibility and the level of ethical satisfaction for employees in the workplace. 163 dyads were analyzed, each consisting of a team leader and an employee working at a large manufacturing company in South Korea. Following current methodological recommendations for congruence research, polynomial regression and response surface modeling methodologies were used to determine the effects of value congruence. Results indicate that leader-follower value congruence in social responsibility was positively related to the ethical satisfaction of employees. Furthermore, employees' ethical satisfaction was stronger when aligned with a leader with high social responsibility. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Analog Study Investigating Diary Assessments of Rewards and Punishments for Emotional States
Authors: Yamamoto Tatsuya , Shudo Yusuke , Sakai Makoto
Published: December 2014

Behavioral Activation is a treatment for depression relying on rewards from activities; but it is possible that the effects of punishments should also be considered, as should its generalizability to the healthy population. Effect of rewards and punishments on emotional states and depression were investigated by using the daily diary method. Participants (7 men, 21 women; M age=19.4 yr.) recorded their daily activities and the intensity of rewards and punishments accompanying each activity for one week. Positive and negative affects of participants were assessed using the Japanese version of the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule. Multiple regression analysis indicated that both rewards and punishments predicted depressive symptoms. Moreover, rewards (but not punishments) predicted positive affect, whereas punishments predicted negative affects (and rewards did not). These preliminary results suggest that the effects of both rewards and punishments given for activities should be considered in models of behavioral activation.
Using Kollar's Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling for Bereaved Clients: The Process of Empowerment from Clients' Perception
Authors: Der Pan Peter Jen , Deng F. Liang-Yu , Tsai Shio-Ling , Yuan S. S. Jenny
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate how bereaved clients recovered from grief and loss after receiving Kollar's solution-focused pastoral counseling (KSFPC) from a perspective of empowerment. Ten Taiwanese Christian clients (3 men, 7 women; M age =42.5 yr., SD = 8.5), who had experienced a significant loss of a loved one within the past two years, were recruited from churches in northern Taiwan, forming a convenience sample. The clients, based on their time availability, were randomly assigned to one of the two pastoral counselors and had four KSFPC sessions. The grounded theory procedure was adopted for qualitative data analysis. Four prominent categories emerged from the open-ended questions, in-depth interviews, and interactive counseling notes, including First Encounter with Solution-focused Pastoral Counseling (SFPC), Transitional Life Re-Decision-Making Process, Reflections and Changes, and New Participatory Competencies, within which 12 axial categories and 42 meaning units were identified. The results support the use of KSFPC to empower clients' competence in recovery from grief and loss. Implications for future research and KSFPC practice are suggested.
Musical Key Perception in Relation to Color
Authors: Firth Ian C.
Published: December 2014

A link between musical keys and colors is common among musicians, although there has never been any agreement about which color matches which key. This study tested two alternative key-color associations: E is red and E b is green, or vice versa. 21 participants (10 men, 11 women; M age = 20 yr., SD = 3.3) with absolute pitch listened to melodies beginning with an anacrusis and a perfect cadence which were played through in C major. Then the melodies began in another key, while four or two colored squares were displayed (in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively). Participants were asked to chose the color which best matched the quality of the new key. The results showed strong support for the E red / E b green linkage.
Cognitive Dysfunction in Fibromyalgia: Slow Access to the Mental Lexicon
Authors: Leavitt Frank , Katz Robert S.
Published: December 2014

Lexical access speed, the time needed for the brain to access the catalogue of words in long-term memory, is assumed to provide a foundation for a broad array of cognitive operations. It was hypothesized that deficits in lexical speed are likely to play a central role in deficiencies in cognitive performance of patients with fibromyalgia, who as a group show deficits in lexical speed. This was tested in a sample of 209 patients with fibromyalgia and in 72 control patients with memory deficits. Participants completed the Stroop word-naming measure of lexical access speed and 12 neurocognitive measures. Deficit in lexical access speed occurred at approximately twice the frequency (48.3% vs 25.0%) in fibromyalgia. The average delay in speed of lexical access was 171 msec. in fibromyalgia and 163 msec. in controls. Those with deficits in lexical access speed displayed deficiencies on 10 of 12 cognitive measures in the fibromyalgia group, and on 8 of 12 cognitive measures in the control group. The premise that lexical access speed is disproportionately present in fibromyalgia and serves as a foundation for a wide array of cognitive operations is supported.
Validity and Reliability Evidence of the TOCA–C in a Sample of Greek Students
Authors: Kourkounasiou Maria A. , Skordilis Emmanouil K.
Published: December 2014

Validity and reliability evidence of the Teacher Observation of Classroom Adaptation–Checklist (TOCA–C) was examined in 186 Greek students through exploratory factor analysis, divergent and concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. The TOCA–C showed a high internal consistency for the three factors of Concentration Problems, Disruptive/Aggressive Behaviour, and Prosocial Behaviour (αs = .89−.96), and acceptable two-week test-retest reliability. The three-factor solution explained 74.50% of the total variance. Regarding divergent validity, a significant Sex × Disability interaction was evident for Disruptive Behaviour, with women scoring higher in ‘special’ and lower in ‘general’ schools compared to men. Main effects were significant across disability, but not across sex. Correlations with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire suggested convergent and divergent validity evidence. The TOCA–C should be useful in testing Greek students with and without disabilities.
Sex Differences in Scores on the Draw-a-Person Test across Childhood: Do They Relate to Graphic Fluency?
Authors: Picard Delphine
Published: December 2014

Girls are said to outperform boys in the human figure drawing, but some disagreement exists among studies regarding such sex differences, and the reasons for these sex differences are unclear. The study examined how sex, age, and graphic fluency affect scores at the human figure drawing in large sample of children aged five to 12 years. To that end, the Draw-a-Person Test was administered to 336 boys and girls from kindergarten to Grade 6, using Goodenough's scoring method. Graphic fluency was measured using Torrance's Parallel Lines Test. Results showed a sex by age interaction on scores at the Draw-a-Person test, with girls outperforming boys at Grades 3 and 6. Split-sample regression analyses indicated that for boys both age and graphic fluency were relevant predictors for scores on the Draw-a-Person test; by contrast, for girls age, but not fluency, predicted the drawing scores. It was concluded that graphic fluency differently affected boys' and girls' scores.
Effects of Autonomy-Supportive and Controlling Styles on Situational Self-Determined Motivation: Some Unexpected Results of the Commitment Procedure
Authors: Amoura Camille , Berjot Sophie , Gillet Nicolas , Caruana Sylvain , Finez Lucie
Published: December 2014

Distinct and simultaneous effects of autonomy-supportive and controlling styles, usually considered as mutually exclusive, on situational self-determined motivation are tested. In Study 1, economics students ( N = 100; 57 men, 43 women; M age = 21.5 yr.) were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental conditions (high vs. low) of autonomy supportive and / or controlling behaviors during a task. Results supported the independence of those constructs. An unexpected effect in regards to Self-determination Theory was found in the Low autonomy – High control condition in which self-determined motivation was observed. The interpretation for this specific condition, an effect due to the attempt to reduce cognitive dissonance triggered by the commitment procedure, was tested. In Study 2, sport students ( N = 80, 44 men, 36 women; M age = 19.2 yr.) were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental conditions: No commitment, Commitment plus self-affirmation, and Commitment without self-affirmation. Results supported Study 1's interpretation: motivation was lower when participants were recruited without a commitment procedure or when they were invited to self-affirm than when participants recruited with a commitment procedure.
The Lure Technique: Replication and Refinement in a Field Setting
Authors: Marchand Marie , Joule Robert-Vincent , Guéguen Nicolas
Published: December 2014

Many techniques designed to gain compliance to a request are presented in the social psychological literature. However, the lure technique has received little attention from scientists. This technique, also called bait-and-switch, is used to influence people's choices and involves three stages: (1) individuals are led to make a rewarding decision to carry out a given behavior; (2) they are informed of the impossibility of carrying out this behavior; (3) a new but less rewarding decision is proposed. Only one formal study has been published on this technique, which failed to control two key methodological factors: the status of the participants and the solicitor, and the delay between the initial decision and the target request. These two factors were controlled in this study. Outside a French campus, 40 female students in the 18–22 age range were solicited by a student to participate in a pleasant experiment for which they would be remunerated. One minute after accepting, they were informed that the number of participants was reached, and they were no longer needed. The solicitor then proposed a different task that was less interesting and not remunerated. Greater compliance with the final request was found in the lure condition (70%) than in the control condition (35%) in which the final request was addressed immediately. The results confirm the effectiveness of the lure technique to increase compliance and show that its effectiveness is not dependent on the solicitor's status.
Self-Compassion and Life Satisfaction in Gay Men
Authors: Jennings Lisa K. , Tan P. Philip
Published: December 2014

Studies have shown that gay men are at increased risk for anxiety and depression due to social oppression; research suggests that self-compassion is positively associated with life-satisfaction and emotional resilience. In a sample of 68 gay men ( M age = 39.7 yr., SD = 16.3), the influence of self-compassion on satisfaction with life was examined while controlling for age, income, and openness about sexual orientation. Analysis of the data revealed that self-compassion was a significant predictor of satisfaction with life. Implications of this finding were discussed.
Nationalism and the Solitudes
Authors: Lincoln Michael
Published: December 2014

Over two decades have passed since Charles Taylor published his work on the gap between English Canada and Quebec. However, recent statements by political leaders have shown that this gap has not closed, but widened. This article attempts to explore some of the philosophical underpinnings which inform debates in the “Solitudes.” By doing so, I attempt to further explain the historical significance of liberalism and nationalism by using Quebec and English Canada as case studies to show the modern relevance of liberal political theory. While languages obviously play a role, it is just as important to understand metaphorical language in order to help understand and, hopefully, bypass the gap of understanding between these two geographically and politically linked entities.
Attack of the Marriage Fraudsters!: An Examination of the Harper Government’s Antimarriage Fraud Campaign
Authors: Gaucher Megan
Published: December 2014

Claiming a rise in marriage fraud, the Harper government launched its antimarriage fraud campaign in 2011, aiming to both prevent and stigmatize the formation of relationships in order to immigrate to Canada. In this article, I examine the implications this crackdown has for family class immigration and question the government’s empirical justification for initiating this campaign. I contend that while the language of the campaign appears to be neutral, the campaign’s framing allows for the continued targeting of specific relationships. This allows the government to reinforce a narrative of family class immigration based on a normalized conception of the conjugal family unit.
“Anglo-Conformity”: Assimilation Policy in Canada, 1890s–1950s
Authors: Mann Jatinder
Published: December 2014

In the late nineteenth century Canada started to receive large waves of non-British migrants for the very first time in its history. These new settlers arrived in a country that saw itself very much as a British society. English-speaking Canadians considered themselves a core part of a worldwide British race. French Canadians, however, were obviously excluded from this ethnic identity. The maintenance of the country as a white society was also an integral part of English-speaking Canada’s national identity. Thus, white non-British migrants were required to assimilate into this English-speaking Canadian or Anglocentric society without delay. But in the early 1950s the British identity of English-speaking Canada began to decline ever so slowly. The first steps toward the gradual breakdown of the White Canada policy also occurred at this time. This had a corresponding weakening effect on the assimilation policy adopted toward non-British migrants, which was based on Anglo-conformity.
Role of Surface Energy Exchange for Simulating Wind Turbine Inflow: A Case Study in the Southern Great Plains, USA
Authors: Wharton Sonia , Simpson Matthew , Osuna Jessica , Newman Jennifer , Biraud Sebastien
Published: December 2014

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is used to investigate choice of land surface model (LSM) on the near surface wind profile, including heights reached by multi-megawatt (MW) wind turbines. Simulations of wind profiles and surface energy fluxes were made using five LSMs of varying degrees of sophistication in dealing with soil–plant–atmosphere feedbacks for the Department of Energy (DOE) Southern Great Plains (SGP) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) Central Facility in Oklahoma, USA. Surface flux and wind profile measurements were available for validation. WRF was run for three, two-week periods covering varying canopy and meteorological conditions. The LSMs predicted a wide range of energy flux and wind shear magnitudes even during the cool autumn period when we expected less variability. Simulations of energy fluxes varied in accuracy by model sophistication, whereby LSMs with very simple or no soil–plant–atmosphere feedbacks were the least accurate; however, the most complex models did not consistently produce more accurate results. Errors in wind shear were also sensitive to LSM choice and were partially related to energy flux accuracy. The variability of LSM performance was relatively high suggesting that LSM representation of energy fluxes in WRF remains a large source of model uncertainty for simulating wind turbine inflow conditions.
Interacting Memory Systems—Does EEG Alpha Activity Respond to Semantic Long-Term Memory Access in a Working Memory Task?
Authors: Berger Barbara , Omer Serif , Minarik Tamas , Sterr Annette , Sauseng Paul
Published: December 2014

Memory consists of various individual processes which form a dynamic system co-ordinated by central (executive) functions. The episodic buffer as direct interface between episodic long-term memory (LTM) and working memory (WM) is fairly well studied but such direct interaction is less clear in semantic LTM. Here, we designed a verbal delayed-match-to-sample task specifically to differentiate between pure information maintenance and mental manipulation of memory traces with and without involvement of access to semantic LTM. Task-related amplitude differences of electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillatory brain activity showed a linear increase in frontal-midline theta and linear suppression of parietal beta amplitudes relative to memory operation complexity. Amplitude suppression at upper alpha frequency, which was previously found to indicate access to semantic LTM, was only sensitive to mental manipulation in general, irrespective of LTM involvement. This suggests that suppression of upper EEG alpha activity might rather reflect unspecific distributed cortical activation during complex mental processes than accessing semantic LTM.
Zero-Energy and Beyond: A Paradigm Shift in Assessment
Authors: Rovers Ronald
Published: December 2014

The world is on the eve of major changes in the way energy and material are used, and the building and construction sector is at the forefront. One of the revolutionary changes is that for 0-energy houses and buildings. Many countries already have some projects established, and legislation is following, first requiring near 0-energy, but undoubtedly this will evolve into 0-energy as basic requirement. Buildings will generate all required energy from within their building lot, from incoming free and renewable energy sources: solar radiation and earth core heat mainly. In other words, there are no polluting or depleting issues anymore related to energy consumed to operate a building. This will change the whole approach in evaluation and optimization of the environmental performance of buildings: while the energy-driven measures for buildings become obsolete, it will be materials needed for this transition that have to become the main focus, as argued in this paper.
Land Use/Cover Response to Rainfall Variability: A Comparing Analysis between NDVI and EVI in the Southwest of Burkina Faso
Authors: Zoungrana Benewinde , Conrad Christopher , Amekudzi Leonard , Thiel Michael , Da Evariste
Published: December 2014

A comparative analysis of the sensitivity of NDVI and EVI to rainfall indicators has been carried out for different land use/covers in the Southwest of Burkina Faso. Three classified land use/covers maps for 1999, 2006 and 2011 were produced and change detection was applied to locate persistent areas. Thereafter monthly vegetation indices of plots of 750 × 750 m2 were extracted from 2001 to 2011 for persistent woodland, mixed vegetation, and agricultural area within 5 km radius around four rain gauges. Furthermore, correlation analysis to measure the relationship between vegetation indices and rainfall indicators was performed. The results indicate some similarities between NDVI and EVI. Both indices, for all land use/covers, showed significant and strong positive correlation with the rainfall indicators. In general, NDVI was more sensitive to rainfall than EVI in the study area, but the difference between the Pearson’s coefficient values of both vegetation indices was insignificant. The findings of this work agree with some previous studies, but contrasting conclusions were also noted in literature. Hence wider spatial investigation will be necessary to confirm the results of this paper.
Climate Change and Variability in Ghana: Stocktaking
Authors: Asante Felix , Amuakwa-Mensah Franklin
Published: December 2014

This paper provides a holistic literature review of climate change and variability in Ghana by examining the impact and projections of climate change and variability in various sectors (agricultural, health and energy) and its implication on ecology, land use, poverty and welfare. The findings suggest that there is a projected high temperature and low rainfall in the years 2020, 2050 and 2080, and desertification is estimated to be proceeding at a rate of 20,000 hectares per annum. Sea-surface temperatures will increase in Ghana’s waters and this will have drastic effects on fishery. There will be a reduction in the suitability of weather within the current cocoa-growing areas in Ghana by 2050 and an increase evapotranspiration of the cocoa trees. Furthermore, rice and rooted crops (especially cassava) production are expected to be low. Hydropower generation is also at risk and there will be an increase in the incidence rate of measles, diarrheal cases, guinea worm infestation, malaria, cholera, cerebro-spinal meningitis and other water related diseases due to the current climate projections and variability. These negative impacts of climate change and variability worsens the plight of the poor, who are mostly women and children.
Stochastic Multicriteria Acceptability Analysis for Evaluation of Combined Heat and Power Units
Authors: Wang Haichao , Jiao Wenling , Lahdelma Risto , Zhu Chuanzhi , Zou Pinghua
Published: December 2014

Combined heat and power (CHP) is a promising technology that can contribute to energy efficiency and environmental protection. More CHP-based energy systems are planned for the future. This makes the evaluation and selection of CHP systems very important. In this paper, 16 CHP units representing different technologies are taken into account for multicriteria evaluation with respect to the end users’ requirements. These CHP technologies cover a wide range of power outputs and fuel types. They are evaluated from the energy, economy and environment (3E) points of view, specifically including the criteria of efficiency, investment cost, electricity cost, heat cost, CO2 production and footprint. Uncertainties and imprecision are common both in criteria measurements and weights, therefore the stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis (SMAA) model is used in aiding this decision making problem. These uncertainties are treated better using a probability distribution function and Monte Carlo simulation in the model. Moreover, the idea of “feasible weight space (FWS)” which represents the union of all preference information from decision makers (DMs) is proposed. A complementary judgment matrix (CJM) is introduced to determine the FWS. It can be found that the idea of FWS plus CJM is well compatible with SMAA and thus make the evaluation reliable.
Real-Time Estimation of Power System Frequency Using a Three-Level Discrete Fourier Transform Method
Authors: Nam Soon-Ryul , Kang Seung-Hwa , Kang Sang-Hee
Published: December 2014

This paper proposes a three-level discrete Fourier transform (DFT) method to provide an accurate estimate of power system frequency in real time. The first level decomposes a power system signal into two orthogonal cosine- and sine-filtered signals. The second and third levels are used to determine the amplitude ratio of the cosine- and sine-filtered signals without encountering the zero-crossing problem and with an increase in ability to suppress harmonics and inter-harmonics. The performance of the three-level DFT method is evaluated using computer-simulated signals with harmonics and inter-harmonics. The three-level DFT method is also implemented on a digital signal processor (DSP)-based hardware prototype, and its performance in the hardware implementation is evaluated using a real-time digital simulator (RTDS). The evaluation results show that the three-level DFT method can achieve real-time estimation of power system frequency with satisfactory performance.
Predicted Changes in Climatic Niche and Climate Refugia of Conservation Priority Salamander Species in the Northeastern United States
Authors: Sutton William , Barrett Kyle , Moody Allison , Loftin Cynthia , DeMaynadier Phillip , Nanjappa Priya
Published: December 2014

Global climate change represents one of the most extensive and pervasive threats to wildlife populations. Amphibians, specifically salamanders, are particularly susceptible to the effects of changing climates due to their restrictive physiological requirements and low vagility; however, little is known about which landscapes and species are vulnerable to climate change. Our study objectives included, (1) evaluating species-specific predictions (based on 2050 climate projections) and vulnerabilities to climate change and (2) using collective species responses to identify areas of climate refugia for conservation priority salamanders in the northeastern United States. All evaluated salamander species were projected to lose a portion of their climatic niche. Averaged projected losses ranged from 3%–100% for individual species, with the Cow Knob Salamander (Plethodon punctatus), Cheat Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi), Shenandoah Mountain Salamander (Plethodon virginia), Mabee’s Salamander (Ambystoma mabeei), and Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) predicted to lose at least 97% of their landscape-scale climatic niche. The Western Allegheny Plateau was predicted to lose the greatest salamander climate refugia richness (i.e., number of species with a climatically-suitable niche in a landscape patch), whereas the Central Appalachians provided refugia for the greatest number of species during current and projected climate scenarios. Our results can be used to identify species and landscapes that are likely to be further affected by climate change and potentially resilient habitats that will provide consistent climatic conditions in the face of environmental change.
Welcome to Fermentation: A New Multidisciplinary Open Access Journal
Authors: Saha Badal
Published: December 2014

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to a new open access journal, Fermentation, which represents a multidisciplinary scope that meets the growing need for a high quality peer-reviewed international journal with easy access to all researchers globally. The journal aims at a broad multidisciplinary readership, which includes both academia and industries, and covers broad areas of research, development and technological advances in all aspects of fermentation. Fully comprehensive in its scope, the journal coverage includes without being limited to: [...]
Down-Regulation of miR-129-5p and the let-7 Family in Neuroendocrine Tumors and Metastases Leads to Up-Regulation of Their Targets Egr1, G3bp1, Hmga2 and Bach1
Authors: Døssing Kristina , Binderup Tina , Kaczkowski Bogumil , Jacobsen Anders , Rossing Maria , Winther Ole , Federspiel Birgitte , Knigge Ulrich , Kjær Andreas , Friis-Hansen Lennart
Published: December 2014

Expression of miRNAs in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NEN) is poorly characterized. We therefore wanted to examine the miRNA expression in Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs), and identify their targets and importance in NET carcinogenesis. miRNA expression in six NEN primary tumors, six NEN metastases and four normal intestinal tissues was characterized using miRNA arrays, and validated by in-situ hybridization and qPCR. Among the down-regulated miRNAs miR-129-5p and the let-7f/let-7 family, were selected for further characterization. Transfection of miR-129-5p inhibited growth of a pulmonary and an intestinal carcinoid cell line. Analysis of mRNA expression changes identified EGR1 and G3BP1 as miR-129-5p targets. They were validated by luciferase assay and western blotting, and found robustly expressed in NETs by immunohistochemistry. Knockdown of EGR1 and G3BP1 mimicked the growth inhibition induced by miR-129-5p. let-7 overexpression inhibited growth of carcinoid cell lines, and let-7 inhibition increased protein content of the transcription factor BACH1 and its targets MMP1 and HMGA2, all known to promote bone metastases. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that let-7 targets are highly expressed in NETs and metastases. We found down-regulation of miR-129-5p and the let-7 family, and identified new neuroendocrine specific targets for these miRNAs, which contributes to the growth and metastatic potential of these tumors.
Evaluation of the Relationship between 5-HTT and MAO Gene Polymorphisms, Mood and Level of Anxiety among Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Grochans Elżbieta , Jurczak Anna , Szkup Małgorzata , Samochowiec Agnieszka , Włoszczak-Szubzda Anna , Karakiewicz Beata , Grzywacz Anna , Brodowska Agnieszka , Samochowiec Jerzy
Published: December 2014

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze how mood and anxiety level are related to the functional genetic polymorphism in the promoter region of SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) and the 30-bp VNTR polymorphism in the MAO A promoter region. Methods: The study involved 272 postmenopausal women from Poland. The authors employed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for measuring levels of anxiety, the Mood Adjective Check List for measuring mood, and genetic tests. Results: Analysis did not show any statistically significant differences in the mean levels of anxiety, and mood disorders in women in relation to genotypes of the 5-HTTLPR (SLC6A4) polymorphism and the 30-bp VNTR polymorphism in the MAO A promoter region. However, these problems were more severe among women with s/s genotype. In the case of MAO A gene polymorphism, the level of anxiety was higher in women with a 4/4 genotype. Conclusions: The study did not prove the possibility of the identification of homogeneous groups of women with an elevated risk of developing anxiety and mood disorders during the post-menopausal period. Nevertheless, it showed that respondents with s/s genotype of the 44-bp polymorphism in the 5-HTT (SLC6A4) promoter region had the highest average anxiety levels both as a state and as a trait. Furthermore, the analysis of the 30-bp VNTR polymorphism in the MAO A promoter region demonstrated slight differences in anxiety levels between the women, indicating that those with a 4/4 genotype had higher severity of anxiety symptoms.