bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Short-Wavelength Correlated Errors on Low-Resolution Mode Altimetry
Authors: Dibarboure G. , Boy F. , Desjonqueres J. D. , Labroue S. , Lasne Y. , Picot N. , Poisson J. C. , Thibaut P.
Published: March 2014

The observation of ocean scales smaller than 100 km with low-resolution mode (LRM) altimetry products is degraded by the existence of a “hump artifact” visible on sea surface height (SSH) spectra.

Through an analysis of simulations and actual data from multiple missions, this paper shows that the hump originates in a response to inhomogeneities in backscatter strength. Current retrackers cannot fit their Brown model properly because they were designed for a scene with homogeneous backscatter properties. The error is also smoothed along track because of the size and shape of the LRM disc-shaped footprint. Therefore, the hump is modulated by the altimeter design and altitude and by the retracker used.

Because of the random nature of the phenomenon, a large majority of long topography segments (e.g., hundreds to thousands of kilometers) is affected. However, within these segments, a substantial fraction of the corruption is contained in small subsets of data (e.g., less than 10%). This paper shows that oceanography users interested in small-scale SSH signals can mitigate the hump corruption by using better editing and postprocessing algorithms on the 20-Hz rate of current products.

Last, the thin stripe-shaped footprint of Cryosat-2’s synthetic aperture radar mode (SARM) is not affected by the hump artifact, thus improving the observation of topography features ranging from 30 to 100 km. The differences between SARM and pseudo-LRM sigma0 can also be used to detect major hump events on pseudo-LRM data, which might be an asset to design/validate a new generation of algorithms aimed at reducing the hump artifact on the existing LRM record.
The Nexus of Female Capital and North–South Labor Migration in Ghana
Authors: Tufeiru Ahmed
Published: March 2014

The phenomenon of female head-load portaging in the large commercial cities of Southern Ghana has become a social canker. This article explores the role access to capital plays in the labor relocation of women from northern to Southern Ghana to engage in street head-load portaging, with the goal of examining the potential of microfinance to reverse this trend. Using a phenomenological study design and semi-structured interviews of 15 migrant women porters in Accra, the results revealed that lack of access to capital is a major determinant in the labor migration decisions of female head porters. Also, the study revealed that migrant female porters have a strong desire to obtain capital from microfinance versus savings from head-load portaging. The implications for positive social change include informing development practitioners and policy makers of the importance of microfinance as a prospective remedial policy to address the phenomenon of north to south female labor migration that contributes to the head-load portage syndrome and the inherent degradation this occupation creates for women in Southern Ghana.
Toward the Cluster Model
Authors: Michael-Tsabari Nava , Labaki Rania , Zachary Ramona Kay
Published: March 2014

Building on a longitudinal case study, this article describes the entrepreneurial behavior of a multinational family firm over generations. The study inductively raises the theoretic level to fill gaps in the literature about the family role in entrepreneurial behavior and addresses the singular count of the two- and three-circle models. The data analysis shows that entrepreneurial behavior emerges not only in response to business challenges but also and predominantly to family challenges. The cluster model is suggested as a necessary extension of the circle models, positing the family as the relevant level of analysis when considering entrepreneurial behavior and introducing the distinction between organic and portfolio, core and peripheral firms.
Localizing Chinese migrants in Africa: A study of the Chinese in Libya before the Civil War
Authors: Wang Jie , Stenberg Josh
Published: March 2014

Before the 21st century, Chinese presence in Libya was minimal. In the last years of the Gaddafi regime, however, a large-scale temporary migrant community quickly formed. Then, as unrest in Libya increased, the community was withdrawn abruptly in early 2011 in China’s first officially organized mass evacuation. This short-lived community does not display the characteristics associated with Chinese migration to Africa as a whole, suggesting the necessity of local ethnographic case studies across the continent to form a more accurate and complete picture. Migration was spurred by labour contracted by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) from all over China, and did not feature private traders except for those who provided services for the labourers. It is probable that any recurrence of Chinese migration into Libya will again be SOE-driven, although favourable attitudes and policies on the part of the post-Gaddafi administration could possibly engender a more autonomous minority.
Improvement of performance of bolt–nut connections, Part II: Experimental investigation
Authors: Majzoobi GH , Dabbagh M Agh-Mohammad , Asgari P , Pipelzadeh MK , Hardy SJ
Published: March 2014

In this work, bolt and nut geometries are modified for the improvement of fatigue life of the bolt–nut connections. The modifications are aimed at reducing the stress concentration at the thread roots by factors such as reducing the shank diameter, making axial hole in bolt, stepping the nut and their combinations. The effect of modifications is studied by experiment and simulation. The experimental results show that all types of modifications considered result in an improvement in the fatigue resistance of bolt–nut connections but to different extents. However, the effects of the two latter types are more significant. The most improvement is achieved for the case when all types of modifications are combined together. In this case, fatigue life can be increased by almost 100%. Numerical results also show that all types of modifications lead to the reduction of stress concentration.
Seven years of teenage pregnancy in an inner London genitourinary medicine service – a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hegazi Aseel , Daley Natalie , Williams Elizabeth , McLeod Felicity , Rafiezadeh Saba , Prime Katia
Published: March 2014

Summary

Young people attending genitourinary medicine services are at high risk of unplanned pregnancy. We performed a retrospective cohort study to identify characteristics of pregnant teenagers accessing an inner London genitourinary medicine service. There were 481 pregnancies in 458 teenagers with 54 previous pregnancies and 46 previous terminations of pregnancy. The under-18 and under-16 teenage pregnancy rates were 92.1 and 85.8 per 1000 age-matched clinic attendees, respectively. Median age was 17.1 years. ‘Black Other’ teenagers (‘Black British’, ‘Mixed White-Black Caribbean’ and ‘Mixed White-Black African’) were over-represented, compared to our clinic population, while those of White ethnicity were under-represented. Few pregnancies (1.5%) were planned with the majority (64%) intending terminations of pregnancy. Most teenagers did not use consistent contraception. Two-thirds of patients had attended genitourinary medicine services in the past and sexually transmitted infection prevalence at presentation was high. Effectively targeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of teenage genitourinary medicine clinic attendees may have a significant impact on reducing sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy and terminations of pregnancy in this group.
Primary Adrenal Leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Wei Jianguo , Sun Aijing , Tao Jian , Wang Cheng , Liu Fang
Published: March 2014

Primary adrenal leiomyosarcoma is a very rare tumor with an unusual location; the diagnosis is based entirely on histological and immunohistochemical evaluations. We report a primary adrenal leiomyosarcoma in a 57-year-old woman who was incidentally found to have an adrenal-occupying lesion during a routine medical examination. Computed tomography revealed a 64 mm × 77 mm soft tissue mass in the left adrenal gland. The patient underwent left radical nephroadrenalectomy. Histological examination of the tumor showed malignant spindle cells in interlacing fasicles and whorls. Nuclear pleomorphism, tumor giant cells, necrosis, and abnormal mitotic figures were present. On immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were strongly positive for smooth muscle actin, desmin, and vimentin expression, but negative for cytokeratin, CD117, CD34, CD68, Myoglobin, S100, and HMB-45.The final histopathological diagnosis was primary adrenal leiomyosarcoma.
Construct Validity of Adolescents’ Self-Reported Big Five Personality Traits
Authors: Morizot Julien
Published: March 2014

While there are a number of short personality trait measures that have been validated for use with adults, few are specifically validated for use with adolescents. To trust such measures, it must be demonstrated that they have adequate construct validity. According to the view of construct validity as a unifying form of validity requiring the integration of different complementary sources of information, this article reports the evaluation of content, factor, convergent, and criterion validities as well as reliability of adolescents’ self-reported personality traits. Moreover, this study sought to address an inherent potential limitation of short personality trait measures, namely their limited conceptual breadth. In this study, starting with items from a known measure, after the language-level was adjusted for use with adolescents, items tapping fundamental primary traits were added to determine the impact of added conceptual breadth on the psychometric properties of the scales. The resulting new measure was named the Big Five Personality Trait Short Questionnaire (BFPTSQ). A group of expert judges considered the items to have adequate content validity. Using data from a community sample of early adolescents, the results confirmed the factor validity of the Big Five structure in adolescence as well as its measurement invariance across genders. More important, the added items did improve the convergent and criterion validities of the scales, but did not negatively affect their reliability. This study supports the construct validity of adolescents’ self-reported personality traits and points to the importance of conceptual breadth in short personality measures.
Co-design of interdisciplinary projects as a mechanism for school capacity growth
Authors: Kwon Samuel M , Wardrip Peter S , Gomez Louis M
Published: March 2014

This article examines the use of interdisciplinary project co-design, as a mechanism for increasing the capacity of a school and promoting the growth of teachers’ professional practice in an urban high school setting. Changing teaching practices and the professional culture within a school can be extremely difficult. Simply providing resources about novel strategies can be ineffective. In fact, in some school cultures, suggestions for classroom practice change can be received with hostility, being viewed by some teachers as acts questioning their professional competence. This study describes how a strategically chosen task, interdisciplinary project co-design, was used by external technical assistance providers as a productive, non-threatening mechanism for instructional improvement, by simultaneously enhancing classroom practices and cultivating the growth of teacher collaborative practices.
Multi-body vibration modelling of ball bearing–rotor system considering single and compound multi-defects
Authors: Yuan X , Zhu Y-S , Zhang Y-Yun
Published: March 2014

Vibration modelling is a key link to explore the cognitive rules in fault diagnosis. In order to foresee the vibration characteristics accurately, the dynamic contact among joint interfaces and vibration transmission path of ball bearing are well studied. A novel methodology for multi-body vibration modelling of ball bearing–rotor system with bearing inner race–balls–outer race–pedestal is presented. Additionally, the mathematical formulation is derived with consideration of the nonlinear spring at the contact point between ball and raceway. Then, the progressive processes of single and compound multi-defects are described by using bearing practical kinematics and the vibration responses are systematically analysed. Compared with the experimental results, the fault frequency and its harmonic components are clearly observed and achieved better consistency. Moreover, for compound fault, an important observation is that the strength imbalance and mutual restraint of the vibration amplitude due to the vectors superposition of different frequency components. Further, the Lempel–Ziv complexity measure is also employed to investigate the response of signature variations. The results show that the Lempel–Ziv complexity measure used as a quantitative criterion can effectively evaluate the single and compound fault of ball bearings.
Innovativeness and Profitability
Authors: Sandvik Izabela L. , Duhan Dale F. , Sandvik Kåre
Published: March 2014

This study addressed the relationship between the innovativeness of hotels and their profitability. The authors propose that innovativeness and the visibility of the benefits to customers from innovative activities both serve as endogenous variables. Competitive market advantage, sales growth, and capacity utilization serve as mediators. Both key informants and financial statements provided data for a sample of 298 hotels. The results show that the relationship between innovativeness and profitability is positive and fully mediated.
Barefoot Running
Authors: Mullen Scott , Cotton Jon , Bechtold Megan , Toby E. Bruce
Published: March 2014

Background:

It has been proposed that running barefoot can lead to improved strength and proprioception. However, the duration that a runner must train barefoot to observe these changes is unknown.

Hypothesis:

Runners participating in a barefoot running program will have improved proprioception, increased lower extremity strength, and an increase in the volume or size of the intrinsic musculature of the feet.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

In this 8-week study, 29 runners with a mean age of 36.34 years were randomized into either a control group (n = 10) who completed training in their regular running shoes or to an experimental barefoot group (n = 14). Pretraining tests consisted of a volumetric measurement of the foot followed by a strength and dynamic balance assessment. Five subjects completed the pretests but did not complete the study for reasons not related to study outcomes. Participants then completed 8 weeks of training runs. They repeated the strength and dynamic balance assessment after 8 weeks.

Results:

Significant changes from baseline to 8 weeks were observed within the barefoot group for single-leg hop (right, P = .0121; left, P = .0430) and reach and balance (right, P = .0029) and within the control group for single–left leg hop ( P = .0286) and reach and balance (right, P = .0096; left, P = .0014). However, when comparing the differences in changes from baseline to 8 weeks between the barefoot and control groups, the improvements were not significant at the .05 level for all measures.

Conclusion:

Although statistically significant changes were not observed between the pre- and posttest evaluations in strength and proprioception with the 8-week low-intensity barefoot running regimen, this does not necessarily mean that these changes do not occur. It is possible that it may take months or years to observe these changes, and a short course such as this trial is insufficient.
Meteorological factors and risk of scrub typhus in Guangzhou, southern China, 2006–2012
Authors: Li Tiegang , Yang Zhicong , Dong Zhiqiang , Wang Ming
Published: March 2014

Background

Scrub typhus is becoming the most common vector born disease in Guangzhou, southern China. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of weather patterns on the incidence of Scrub typhus in the subtropical city of Guangzhou for the period 2006–2012, and assist public health prevention and control measures.

Methods

Scrub typhus reported cases during the period of 2006–2012 in Guangzhou were obtained from National Notifiable Disease Report System (NNDRS). Simultaneous meteorological data including temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, sunshine, and rainfall were obtained from the documentation of the Guangzhou Meteorological Bureau. A negative binomial regression was used to identify the relationship between meteorological variables and scrub typhus.

Results

Annual incidence rates of scrub typhus from 2006 to 2012 were 3.25, 2.67, 3.81, 4.22, 4.41, 5.12, and 9.75 (per 100 000) respectively. Each 1°C rise in temperature corresponded to an increase of 14.98% (95% CI 13.65% to 16.33%) in the monthly number of scrub typhus cases, while a 1 hPa rise in atmospheric pressure corresponded to a decrease in the number of cases by 8.03% (95% CI −8.75% to −7.31%). Similarly, a 1 hour rise in sunshine corresponded to an increase of 0.17% or 0.54%, and a 1 millimeter rise in rainfall corresponded to an increase of 0.05% or 0.10%, in the monthly number of scrub typhus cases, depending on the variables considered in the model.

Conclusion

Our study provided evidence that climatic factors were associated with occurrence of scrub typhus in Guangzhou city, China. Temperature, duration of sunshine, and rainfall were positively associated with scrub typhus incidence, while atmospheric pressure was inversely associated with scrub typhus incidence. These findings should be considered in the prediction of future patterns of scrub typhus transmission.
Early diagnostic value of survivin and its alternative splice variants in breast cancer
Authors: Khan Salma , Bennit Heather Ferguson , Turay David , Perez Mia , Mirshahidi Saied , Yuan Yuan , Wall Nathan R
Published: March 2014

Background

The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein Survivin and its splice variants are differentially expressed in breast cancer tissues. Our previous work showed Survivin is released from tumor cells via small membrane-bound vesicles called exosomes. We, therefore, hypothesize that analysis of serum exosomal Survivin and its splice variants may provide a novel biomarker for early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Methods

We collected sera from forty breast cancer patients and ten control patients who were disease free for 5 years after treatment. In addition, twenty-three paired breast cancer tumor tissues from those same 40 patients were analyzed for splice variants. Serum levels of Survivin were analyzed using ELISA and exosomes were isolated from this serum using the commercially available ExoQuick kit, with subsequent Western blots and immunohistochemistry performed.

Results

Survivin levels were significantly higher in all the breast cancer samples compared to controls (p < 0.05) with exosome amounts significantly higher in cancer patient sera compared to controls (p < 0.01). While Survivin and Survivin-∆Ex3 splice variant expression and localization was identical in serum exosomes, differential expression of Survivin-2B protein existed in the exosomes. Similarly, Survivin and Survivin-∆Ex3 proteins were the predominant forms detected in all of the breast cancer tissues evaluated in this study, whereas a more variable expression of Survivin-2B level was found at different cancer stages.

Conclusion

In this study we show for the first time that like Survivin, the Survivin splice variants are also exosomally packaged in the breast cancer patients’ sera, mimicking the survivin splice variant pattern that we also report in breast cancer tissues. Differential expression of exosomal-Survivin, particularly Survivin-2B, may serve as a diagnostic and/or prognostic marker, a “liquid biopsy” if you will, in early breast cancer patients. Furthermore, a more thorough understanding of the role of this prominent antiapoptotic pathway could lead to the development of potential therapeutics for breast cancer patients.
Existence of three symmetric positive solutions for a second-order multi-point boundary value problem on time scales
Authors: Sinanoglu Aycan , Karaca Ilkay Y , Tokmak Fatma , Senlik Tugba
Published: March 2014

In this article, we investigate the existence of at least three symmetric positive solutions of a second-order multi-point boundary value problem on time scales. The ideas involve Bai and Ge’s fixed point theorem. As an application, we give an example to demonstrate our main result.

MSC:34B10, 34B18, 39A10.
Is hepatic lipid metabolism of beef cattle influenced by breed and dietary silage level?
Authors: da Costa Ana Sofia Henriques , Bessa Rui José Branquinho , Pires Virgínia Maria Rico , Rolo Eva Alves , Pinto Rui Manuel Amaro , Andrade Fontes Carlos Mendes Godinho , Prates José António Mestre
Published: March 2014

Background

In ruminants, unsaturated dietary fatty acids are biohydrogenated in the rumen and are further metabolised in various tissues, including liver, which has an important role in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Therefore, manipulation of muscle fatty acid composition should take into account liver metabolism. In the present study, the influence of breed and diet on liver lipid composition and gene expression was investigated in order to clarify the role of this organ in the lipid metabolism of ruminants. Forty purebred young bulls from two phylogenetically distant autochthonous cattle breeds, Alentejana and Barrosã, were assigned to two different diets (lowvs. high silage) and slaughtered at 18 months of age. Liver fatty acid composition, mRNA levels of enzymes and transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism, as well as the plasma lipid profile, were assessed.

Results

In spite of similar plasma non-esterified fatty acids levels, liver triacylglycerols content was higher in Barrosã than in Alentejana bulls. Moreover, the fatty acid composition of liver was clearly distinct from the remaining tissues involved in fatty acid metabolism of ruminants, as shown by Principal Components Analysis. The hepatic tissue is particularly rich in α-linolenic acid and their products of desaturation and elongation. Results indicate thatDGAT1,ELOVL2,FADS1andFADS2genes influence the fatty acid composition of the liver the most. Moreover, genes such asDGAT1andELOVL2appear to be more sensitive to genetic background than to dietary manipulation, whereas genes encoding for desaturases, such asFADS1, appear to be modulated by dietary silage level.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that liver plays an important role in the biosynthesis of n-3 LC-PUFA. It is also suggested that dietary silage level influences the hepatic fatty acid metabolism in a breed-dependent manner, through changes in the expression of genes encoding for enzymes associated with the desaturation and elongation pathway. The importance of devising custom-made feeding strategies taking into account the genetic background is, therefore, stressed by the results from this experiment.
Severe thrombocytopenia in a patient with inosine triphosphatase (ITPA)–CC genotype caused by pegylated interferon (IFN)-α-2a with ribavirin therapy: a case report
Authors: Jiang Weimin , Hidaka Hisashi , Nakazawa Takahide , Kitagawa Hiroyuki , Koizumi Wasaburo
Published: March 2014

Background

Pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin treatment is an effective therapy for chronic hepatitis C viral infection. However, pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin is associated with various adverse reactions. Severe thrombocytopenia is a life-threatening side effect of interferon therapy that can lead to bleeding. It is generally understood that the inosine triphosphatase-CC genotype does not have a significantly lower reduction by pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin in the mean platelet counts compared with the AA/CA genotype. We report a case of severe thrombocytopenia that developed in a patient with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin in spite of having the inosine triphosphatase-CC genotype.

Case presentation

A 57-year-old female had been diagnosed as having HCV infection in 2008. The inosine triphosphatase gene showed one single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1127354) C/C (major homozygous) and the IL28B gene showed single nucleotide polymorphism (rs8099917 T/T, rs11881222 T/T) (major homozygous). The patient was treated with pegylated interferon 180 μg once a week combined with ribavirin 600 mg per day from April 2011. The hepatitis c virus ribonucleic acid turned negative 9 weeks after treatment with pegylated interferon combined with ribavirin. During the therapy, the platelet count remained above 8.0 × 104/μl for about 9 months. In January 2012, the platelet count was 6.8 × 104/μl. In February 2012, the 44th week from the beginning of the treatment, a sudden decrease in the platelet count to 0.8 × 104/μl was observed. After prednisolone was administered, the platelet count increased. Finally the platelet count had risen above normal range.

Conclusion

We should pay careful attention in the differential diagnosis for patients with the inosine triphosphatase-CC genotype because, although rare, severe thrombocytopenia could occur.
Relative roles of temperature and photoperiod as drivers of metabolic flexibility in dark-eyed juncos
Authors: Swanson David , Zhang Yufeng , Liu Jin-Song , Merkord Christopher L. , King Marisa O.
Published: March 2014

Seasonal phenotypic flexibility in small birds produces a winter phenotype with elevated maximum cold-induced metabolic rates (=summit metabolism, Ṁsum). Temperature and photoperiod are candidates for drivers of seasonal phenotypes, but their relative impacts on metabolic variation are unknown. We examined photoperiod and temperature effects on Ṁsum, muscle masses and activities of key catabolic enzymes in winter dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). We randomly assigned birds to four treatment groups varying in temperature (cold=3°C; warm=24°C) and photoperiod [short day (SD)=8 h:16 h light:dark; long day (LD)=16 h:8 h light:dark] in a two-by-two design. We measured body mass (Mb), flight muscle width and Ṁsum before and after 3 and 6 weeks of acclimation, and flight muscle and heart masses after 6 weeks. Ṁsum increased for cold-exposed, but not for warm-exposed, birds. LD birds gained more Mb than SD birds, irrespective of temperature. Flight muscle size and mass did not differ significantly among groups, but heart mass was larger in cold-exposed birds. Citrate synthase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase and β-hydroxyacyl Co-A dehydrogenase activities in the pectoralis were generally higher for LD and cold groups. The cold-induced changes in Ṁsum and heart mass parallel winter changes for small birds, but the larger Mb and higher catabolic enzyme activities in LD birds suggest photoperiod-induced changes associated with migratory disposition. Temperature appears to be a primary driver of flexibility in Ṁsum in juncos, but photoperiod-induced changes in Mb and catabolic enzyme activities, likely associated with migratory disposition, interact with temperature to contribute to seasonal phenotypes.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Titanium Dioxide: Modification with Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Li Xuandong , Kang Meirong , Han Xijiang , Wang Jingyu , Xu Ping
Published: March 2014

In situ growth of TiO2 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (RGO–TiO2) exhibits good performance of photocatalytic degradation under visible light. The photocatalytic efficiency of GO–TiO2 and RGO–TiO2 in degrading Methyl Orange could reach 99% and 96% within 2 h, respectively. The results showed that the optimum mass ratio of GO or RGO to TiO2 was 0.15.
Rethinking the Principles of Bank Regulation: A Review of Admati and Hellwig's The Bankers' New Clothes
Authors: Myerson Roger B.
Published: March 2014

In an important new book, Anat Admati and Martin Hellwig raise broad critical questions about bank regulation. These questions are reviewed and discussed here, with a focus on how the problems of maintaining a stable financial system depend on fundamental problems of information and incentives in financial intermediation. It is argued that financial regulatory reforms can be reliably effective only when their basic principles are understood by informed citizens, and that Admati and Hellwig's book is a major contribution toward this goal, as it clearly lays out the essential case for requiring banks to have more equity. (JEL G01, G21, G28, G32, L51, M48)
The repositioning maneuver of artificial Earth satellite in a circular orbit with a supporting acceleration
Authors: Бурдаев Михаил , Burdaev Mikhail
Published: March 2014

The paper reveals the maneuver entity of reposition artificial satellite on a

circular orbit with a supporting acceleration. A maneuver program implementation with

using of constant thrust motors is found and proved. An energy efficiency of maneuver

under various conditions of its implementation is determined
The Control System Models with the Turnpike Solutions In the Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Гурман Владимир , Gurman Vladimir , Гусева Ирина , Guseva Irina
Published: March 2014

It is proposed one of approaches to constructing of complex dynamic system’s mathematical model on the base of linear on control model’s class. Turnpike solutions are typical for this models when optimal control problem are investigated. The approximate turnpike solutions are used as a first approximation in multistage specification procedure, both the model and the solution of optimization problem. Effectiveness of such approach is shown on an applied modeling and research problem of social-ecology-economic region system.
Legal and Ethical Responsibilities of Geoscientists in Environmental Geology
Authors: Reichelt Raymond
Published: March 2014

Professional geoscientists, including those practicing environmental geoscience, have definite and definable legal and ethical responsibilities. These obligations apply to environmental geoscientists working as consultants, academics, regulators or environmental managers. Environmental geoscientists are obliged to be aware of and obey all federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations applying to professional geoscientists.  As well as the provincial engineering and geoscience acts, a variety of additional guidelines and professional standards apply to the professional geoscientist. These include criminal, labour, and business law as well as environmental acts and regulations.   Governments, professional associations and private standards agencies, such as the Canadian Standards Association and the American Society for Testing and Materials, have also issued relevant guidelines and standards.SOMMAIRELes géoscientifiques professionnels, incluant ceux qui pratiquent en géosciences de l’environnement, ont des responsabilités légales et éthiques définies et définissables.  Ces obligations s'appliquent aux géoscientifiques de l’environnement qu’ils travaillent comme experts-conseils, universitaires, ou pour des organismes de réglementation ou comme gestionnaires en environnement.  Les géoscientifiques en environnement sont tenus de connaître et de respecter toutes les lois et règlements fédéraux, provinciaux et municipaux applicables aux géoscientifiques professionnels.  En plus des lois provinciales régissant la pratique des ingénieurs et des géoscientifiques, les géoscientifiques doivent aussi se soumettre à une variété de lignes directrices et de normes supplémentaires touchant leur pratique.  Ces dernières concernent notamment les champs du droit pénal, du droit du travail, le droit des affaires ainsi que les lois et règlements en environnement.  Les gouvernements, les associations professionnelles et les organismes privés de normalisation, comme l'Association canadienne de normalisation et l'American Society for Testing and Materials, ont également édicté des lignes directrices et des normes pertinentes.
Lo social, lo comunitario y lo individual en las estrategias de prevención “social” del delito en Argentina (2003-2008)
Authors: Ayos Emilio J.
Published: March 2014

El artículo aborda las construcciones de lo individual, lo comunitario y lo social que emergen en la confluencia de una intervención de prevención “social” del delito y una política social asistencial en Argentina. Es producto de una investigación mayor que se propone indagar acerca de la relación entre las definiciones de pobreza y delito y las estrategias de intervención asociadas a las mismas en la articulación entre los programas Comunidades Vulnerables y de Empleo Comunitario. Desde un enfoque metodológico cualitativo, se argumentará que la implementación de dicha estrategia de prevención social del delito, en su vinculación con una política asistencial, describirá una tendencia hacia la comunitarización de su intervención a partir de construir una territorialización segmentada, y hacia la individualización, fundamentalmente en los mecanismos preventivos propuestos.
Sin chivo expiatorio, no hay grupo: el caso de las administraciones públicas
Authors: Fernández Alcalde Josu Bingen
Published: March 2014

Con base en Girard, Bion, Tuckman, Morgan, Anzieu, o la Sociología Clínica se analiza la posición de “Chivo Expiatorio” como suceso universal en los procesos de desarrollo de grupos y equipos. Una etapa esperable y gestionable de su evolución; no un accidente a evitar ni un motivo para desmantelar los equipos laborales puestos en marcha. Sin chivo expiatorio no hay grupo, ni regeneración grupal. Toda grupalidad vive cíclicamente “el destronamiento” de una figura anterior de liderazgo con algún tipo de violencia sacrificial. Tal acontecimiento cierra una fase de conflicto importante e inaugura una renormalización grupal. Por ello, propone incluirla como fase propia en los modelos generales de desarrollo grupal.
La paz transformadora: una propuesta para la construcción participada de paz y la gestión de conflictos desde la perspectiva sociopráxica
Authors: Montañés Serrano Manuel , Ramos Muslera Esteban A.
Published: March 2014

En el artículo se expone un marco epistemológico y teórico-metodológico para la ciencia de la paz y el conflicto. Esta propuesta, desarrollada desde la perspectiva sociopráxica, plantea una conceptualización del conflicto social y la paz como procesos vivos y activos cuyos principales protagonistas son los seres humanos y las redes de relaciones sociales constituidas por y constituyente de las mismos. De acuerdo con el marco enunciado, los modelos convivenciales violentadores son sustituidos por modelos convivenciales sinérgicos con los que atender las necesidades.
Missing mixed mode: elemental structures
Authors: Alaminos Chica Antonio
Published: March 2014

One of the main concerns is the nature of the missing values. Let’s consider extremes for simplicity. If missing at random we have not to care about. But if missing shows structures that covariate with substantive variables we have to make decisions. There are, in fact, several options to take. We are speaking about one country, one mode. But if you go cross-cultural (or more precisely, cross-state nations) and mixed modes many questions raise. For example, the simple one. What are we comparing? Reports and books usually go straight into variables distributions and coefficient comparisons. This is possible because the annalist presume "tabula rasa" effect from data collections procedures. But this is not, frequently, the real situation. This paper will expose the mixed missing mode imprint in international surveys. This will help to evaluate how deal with this problem. Also, to consider the real meaning of observed cross-national differences.
Biomass equations for Scots pine and Norway spruce in Finland
Authors: Repola Jaakko
Published: March 2014

In this study, biomass equations for the above- and below-ground tree components of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) were developed. The models were based on 908 pine trees and 613 spruce trees collected in 77 stands located on mineral soil, and represented a wide range of stand and site conditions in Finland. The whole data set consisted of three sub data sets: 33 temporary sample plots, five thinning experiments, and the control plots of 39 fertilization experiments. The biomass equations were estimated for the individual tree components: stem wood, stem bark, living and dead branches, needles, stump, and roots. In the data analysis, a multivariate procedure was applied in order to take into account the statistical dependence among the equations. Three multivariate models for above-ground biomass and one for below-ground biomass were constructed. The multivariate model (1) was mainly based on tree diameter and height, and additional commonly measured tree variables were used in the multivariate models (2) and (3). Despite the unbalanced data in terms of the response variables, the statistical method generated equations that enable more flexible application of the equations, and ensure better biomass additivity compared to the independently estimated equations. The equations provided logical biomass predictions for a number of tree components, and were comparable with other functions used in Finland and Sweden even though the study material was not an objective, representative sample of the tree stands in Finland.
Long-term effects of precommercial thinning on the stem dimensions, form and branch characteristics of red spruce and balsam fir crop trees in Maine, USA
Authors: Weiskittel Aaron , Kenefic Laura , Seymour Robert , Phillips Leah
Published: March 2014

The effects of precommercial thinning (PCT) on stem dimensions, form, volume, and branch attributes of red spruce [Picea rubens Sarg.] and balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.] crop trees were assessed 25 years after treatment in an even-aged northern conifer stand. Treatments were a uniform 2.4 x 2.4-m spacing and a control (no PCT). The PCT treatment significantly increased individual tree diameter at breast height (DBH), height growth, crown ratio, and crown width, while it reduced the tree height to DBH ratio. PCT also significantly increased stem taper and consequently, regional volume equations overpredicted observed stem volume by 2 to 15%, particularly for the spaced trees. PCT also increased the number and maximum size of branches on the lower bole. The sizes of knots on half of the sampled spruce crop trees in the spaced plots precluded them from being used as select structural lumber; there were no other effects on log grade. Our findings indicate that PCT can have a long-term influence on the structural attributes of individual trees, and that improved stem-volume prediction equations are needed in the Acadian region of North America.
Effect of drying technology on aspen wood properties
Authors: Heräjärvi Henrik
Published: March 2014

This article reports the impacts of three different drying treatments on selected physical and mechanical properties of European (Populus tremula L.) and hybrid (P. tremula x tremuloides) aspen wood. The material originates from 5 European aspen stands and 7 hybrid aspen stands in southern and central Finland. After processing the logs at a saw mill, sawn timber samples were dried using 1) conventional warm air drying, 2) press drying, or 3) heat treatment into Thermo-S grade by the Finnish ThermowoodÂ® method. Finally, small clearwood specimens were manufactured from different within-stem positions for the measurements of physical and mechanical properties. Both press dried and heat treated specimens absorbed water at significantly slower pace than the conventionally dried specimens. In normal climate, the conventionally dried, press dried and heat treated specimens conditioned at equilibrium moisture contents of 12.2, 8.7, and 8.9 per cent, respectively. It appears that the butt logs between 2â6 metres contain the lightest and, thus, weakest wood in aspen stems. Radial compression strength was at its highest in heat treated specimens, whereas conventionally and press dried specimens did not differ from each other. Press dried specimens had the highest longitudinal compression strength, also heat treated specimens showed higher values than the conventionally dried ones. Radial Brinell hardness of press dried specimens was higher than that of conventionally dried or heat treated specimens. Both modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture were at their highest in press dried specimens. Irrespective of the drying treatment, the tangential shear strength of European aspen specimens was approximately 5% higher than that of hybrid aspen. Heat treated specimens indicated significantly lower tangential shear strength values than the conventionally dried ones. In case of both aspen species, the longitudinal tensile strengths of heat treated specimens were significantly lower than those of conventionally and press dried specimens. Heat treated specimens had the highest variability among the results. The inherent flaws in aspen wood material, e.g., wetwood and density
Nutrient loading has a transitory effect on the nitrogen status and growth of outplanted Norway spruce seedlings
Authors: Heiskanen Juha , Lahti Markku , Luoranen Jaana , Rikala Risto
Published: March 2014

In recent years increased fertilization provided to tree seedlings in the nursery in the previous autumn has been introduced in order to promote good outplanting performance. In this paper this nutrient loading has been studied in order to determine how the increased seedling nutrient status with unaffected seedling size affects both the growth and the nutrient concentration, content and uptake of two-year-old Norway spruce container seedlings (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) after outplanting. Seedling development was monitored for three years at two contrasting soil fertility levels on a sandy test field in two planting years and on one natural forest outplanting site in central Finland. Nutrient loading was shown to increase shoot and root growth in a poor fertility soil during the first growing season after planting, while, after the first growing season, nutrient loading was not found to affect seedling performance. However, although nutrient loading cannot compensate for the availability of nutrients to the seedlings from the soil, it may provide an additional input for fast plantation establishment on poorer sites during the first crucial growing season after outplanting.
Variation in the results of Norway spruce planting and Scots pine direct seeding in privately-owned forests in southern Finland
Authors: Kankaanhuhta Ville , Saksa Timo , Smolander Heikki
Published: March 2014

This study describes the variation in the planting results for 3-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and 4-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) using direct seeding in privately-owned regeneration areas in southern Finland. The study material consists of operative forest regeneration quality management inventory areas from the years 2000â2006. The effect of both the regional and the administrative levels as well as ecological factors was modelled on the basis of the hierarchy structure forestry centre, Forest Ownersâ Association (= FOA), forestry professional, regeneration area and sample plot. The major part of the variation occurred at the sample plot and regeneration area level. Particular attention was paid to observation of the clustered spatial distribution of Scots pine seedlings. The FOA and forestry professional levels explained 5% of the variation in Norway spruce planting and 11% of the variation in Scots pine direct seeding. Applied forest regeneration operations, site and soil characteristics were included in the fixed effects. In the planting of Norway spruce the most important factor explaining the regeneration result was soil preparation. Mounding produced better results than patching and disc trenching. The site and soil characteristics were other important factors in the operations. The selection of direct seeding of Scots pine on too fertile, fine textured or moist sites yielded poor results.
Physiological effects of ingesting eucalyptus essential oil with milk casein peptide
Authors: Park Bum-Jin , Morikawa Takeshi , Ogata Tomohiro , Washida Kenji , Iwamoto Mario , Nakamura Hirohiko , Miyazaki Yoshifumi
Published: March 2014

This study was conducted to clarify the effect of eucalyptus essential oil mixed with milk casein peptide food for human physiological relaxation. Fifteen male university students (21.2 Â± 0.9 yr) participated in study as subjects. The subjects were given one of two types of experimental drink (peptide + eucalyptus flavor (Pep + EF), and peptide + grapefruitÂ·orange flavor (Pep + GÂ·O), each flavor contains natural essential oil). We measured the change in salivary cortisol concentration and POMS scores before and two hours after taking experimental drink. The results of a Type A behavior pattern test were used to classify subjects. The concentration of salivary cortisol decreased significantly two hours after taking Pep + EF. And Type B showed bigger change than Type A. In conclusion, the results show that eucalyptus essential oil has the effect of relaxation, and that the effects on Type A and Type B are different.
Lucimycin, an antifungal peptide from the therapeutic maggot of the common green bottle fly Lucilia sericata
Authors: Pöppel Anne-Kathrin , Koch Aline , Kogel Karl-Heinz , Vogel Heiko , Kollewe Christian , Wiesner Jochen , Vilcinskas Andreas
Published: March 2014

We report the identification, cloning, heterologous expression and functional characterization of a novel antifungal peptide named lucimycin from the common green bottle fly Lucilia sericata. The lucimycin cDNA was isolated from a library of genes induced during the innate immune response in L. sericata larvae, which are used as therapeutic maggots. The peptide comprises 77 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 8.2 kDa and a pI of 6.6. It is predicted to contain a zinc-binding motif and to form a random coil, lacking β-sheets or other secondary structures. Lucimycin was active against fungi from the phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Zygomycota, in addition to the oomycete Phytophtora parasitica, but it was inactive against bacteria. A mutant version of lucimycin, lacking the four C-terminal amino acid residues, displayed 40-fold lower activity. The activity of lucimycin against a number of highly-destructive plant pathogens could be exploited to produce transgenic crops that are resistant against fungal diseases.
Effect of Different Silicate Supports on the Catalytic Performance of MoVTeO Mixed Oxides in Partial Oxidation of Isobutane
Authors: Hu Jing , Li Zhifang , Yang Xiaoyuan , Ding Wenli , Guan Jingqi
Published: March 2014

A series of 5% MoV0.3Te0.25 supported on different silicates (i.e. SiO2, HMS, MCM-41, and MCM-48) have been prepared, characterized, and tested as catalysts in the partial oxidation of isobutane to methacrolein. Characterization results showed that the supports almost kept intact structures after supporting 5 wt.% MoV0.3Te0.25 and the supported catalysts had large specific surface areas. Catalytic tests showed that the specific surface area played a key role in the catalytic activity for the supported catalysts.