bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION’S AGRISCIENCE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS AND THEIR AGRISCIENCE PROGRAMS
Authors: Thompson Gregory W. , Schumacher Leon G.
Published: December 2010

The National FFA AgriScience Teacher of the Year Award Program was instituted in 1988 to recognize outstanding agricultural educators who emphasized agriscience technology in their curriculum. This study sought to determine selected characteristics of the National FFA AgriScience Teacher of the Year Award winners and their programs from the years 1988 - 1995 (N = 253). A purposive sample of 187 agriscience teachers that were still teaching resulted in 13 1 useable responses (71%) representing 42 states. The respondents of the National FFA AgriScience Teacher of the Year Award Program are veteran teachers, with an average age of 42 years and average teaching experience of 18 years. The respondents were made up of a higher percentage of females (13.1%) than the national average of female teachers in agricultural education (9.74%). Students enrolled in agricultural courses that integrate science are being granted science credit at the high school and college level. Dedicated (specialized) courses are attracting a higher number of female students (40.96%) as compared to the number of female students in the total agricultural education program (36.77%). Eighty-two percent of the AgriScience Teacher of the Year participants had attended workshops and/or courses that helped them integrate science into the curriculum.
DIFFERENCES IN REASONS WHY INDIVIDUALS CHOOSE TO BECOME AGRICULTURAL TEACHER EDUCATORS BY DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Swortzel Kirk A.
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this study was to collect demographic information on agricultural teacher educators. Furthermore, the study sought to identify factors that discriminate agriculture teacher educators on selected demographics. The target population was all agriculture teacher educators employed during the 1995-1996 school year at colleges and universities in the United States offering degree certification programs in agricultural education (N = 207). The entire census population was surveyed, with 86% providing usable data. A mailed questionnaire was used to collect demographic data on teacher educators and identify reasons why teacher educators chose to enter the education professoriate. From the results of the study, teacher educators in agricultural education are married, middle-aged Caucasian males employed at an 1862 land grant institution, having tenure and holding the rank of professor. Females enter the education professoriate to take advantage of personal and professional development opportunities while males want to share their interest in pedagogy and receive external benefits associated with the job. Ethnic minorities enter the education professoriate because they want to assume a leadership role in teacher education and to influence other minorities to enter the teaching profession. This study should be repeated every five years to analyze trends in the teaching profession.
INFORMATION SOURCES, TECHNOLOGIES, TEACHERS' ATTITUDES, AND COMMUNITY IMPACT FROM TEACHING AQUACULTURE IN THE NORTHEASTERN REGION
Authors: Wingenbach Gary J. , Gartin Stacy A. , Lawrence Layle D.
Published: December 2010

The purpose was to establish baseline data for all Northeastern secondary agricultural education programs that incorporated aquaculture in the total curriculum during 1996-1997. Perceptions of aquaculture information and training, technologies used, community linkages, and teachers' attitudes towards aquaculture programs were sought from agriculture teachers in 12 states. Respondents (N.=70) indicated the source of their aquaculture information as other agriculture education teachers, conferences, workshops, or courses. A majority of teachers had attended formal training programs such as technical aquaculture courses and aquaculture curriculum workshops. Respondents rated indoor tanks, water quality kit, recirculatory system, aerator, and feeding pellets as very important technologies to an aquaculture program. Agriculture teachers perceived that teaching aquaculture motivated students, but they did not believe an aquaculture program would encourage students to seek a postsecondary education. Northeastern agricultural education programs had very limited crossover between school districts when describing linkages, arrangements, and/or agreements to teach aquaculture. The primary benefits of a collaborative linkage included increased student participation and peer tutoring. The community impacts from teaching aquaculture were described as awareness level activities such as aquaculture facility tours, open houses, and field days. Agriculture teachers rated colleges and universities as important external contributors to aquaculture programs.
THE VALUE OF 4-H COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES AS PERCEIVED BY THE PARENTS OF 4-H MEMBERS
Authors: Kieth Lance , Vaughn Paul
Published: December 2010

The major-purpose of the study was to examine perceptions of 4-H parents in Districts II and IV in the Texas 4-Hprogram relative to the educational value of competition in the 4-H program. Two-hundred-fifty parents whose children were currently or formerly enrolled in the 4-H program were sampled from the population. The parents in the study had a very positive attitude toward competition in 4-H, regardless of demographic background. The major reasons the parents had their children participate in 4-H competitive events were because they perceived it enhanced their child’s personal skill development and self esteem. The major concerns the parents had about 4-H competitive activities centered on excessive parental involvement and unethical practices. 4-H parents in the districts varied in their attitude toward competition, primarily because of three factors: (I) senior volunteer leaders tended to be more positive toward competition than junior leaders, (2) individuals who participated in 4-H camp tended to be more positive toward competition, and (3) those former 4-H members who enrolled in 4-H at a later age tended to be more positive toward competition.
METHOD OF REINFORCEMENT AND STUDENT GENDER: EFFECTS ON ACHIEVEMENT IN AGRISCIENCE EDUCATION
Authors: Johnson Donald M. , Wardlow George W. , Franklin Timothy D.
Published: December 2010

A randomized post-test-only experimental design with a counter-balanced internal replication was conducted to determine the effects of reinforcement method (worksheet or hands-on activity) and student gender on immediate and delayed cognitive achievement in two physical science subject matter areas (Ohm 's Law and simple machines). Students enrolled in seven purposively selected Agricultural Science and Technology classes (N = 132) in five school districts participated in the study. The experimental results were stable across both subject matter areas. The main effect of method of reinforcement produced no significant differences in either immediate or delayed cognitive posttest scores. There was no significant interaction between the two main effects (method of reinforcement or gender). However, there were significant differences in both immediate and delayed cognitive posttest scores based on the main effect of gender, with females scoring higher than males on each of the four posttests.
Students' Perceptions Of Aquaculture Education In The Northeast Region
Authors: Wingenbach Gary J. , Gartin Stacy A. , Lawrence Layle D.
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this research was to determine educational benefits, mathematics and science skills, life skills, and the future of aquaculture as perceived by agriculture students in 12 northeastern states. Respondents (N= 60) profoundly believed in their aquaculture programs because of the hands-on learning environmentprovided by such programs. Studentsfound their aquaculture programs exciting, challenging, and fin. The process of learning scientific and mathematical concepts transcended age groups and geographic origination, especially for topics relating to chemistry and biology. Additional skills gained included problem solving, teamwork, responsibility, communication and leadership. Respondents viewed the care andmaintenance of an aquaculture system asparamount to the success of an aquacultureprogram. Northeastern agriculture students were adamant in their belief thatpeople (adults and youth) external to an aquaculture education program were not aware of and/or did not care about the educational benefits derived from such a program. Respondents stated that the aquaculture program was one of the best educational experiences they had acquired in high school, yet they did not have aspirations of working in the aquaculture industry. Respondents believed that increased collaboration between high school teachers and/or school districts will lead to an increase in aquaculture education program enrollments.
Teaching Values In Agricultural Education
Authors: Lockaby Jacqui , Vaughn Paul
Published: December 2010

This study determined perceptions of agricultural education teachers nationwide as to what values should be taught to students enrolled in high school agriscience courses. The population was secondary agricultural teachers who taught in public secondary schools in the United States during I99 7-98. Most of the teachers were middle-aged, white males who taught agriculture for an average of 14 years. The average school size where these agriculture teachers taught was 750 students, andenrollment in agriculture represented nearly 20% identified in this study were important characteristics that should be taught to youngpeople studying high school agriculture. They perceived the most important values were responsibility, honesty, courtesy, and respect. Although agriculture teachers perceived the FFA as the best component number program. Teachers tended to agree on the importance characteristics. In general, teachers who perceived they exhibited a certain behavior tended to have a positive perception toward including that value (or a related one) in the agricultural education curriculum of the total school population. Agriculture teachers agreed that the 21 valuesfor teaching values, aof values can be taught in the classroom, laboratory, and Supervised Agricultural Experienceof the 21 values regardless of teacher characteristics. In general, teachers who perceived they exhibited a certain behavior tended to have a positive perception toward including that value (or a related one) in the agricultural education curriculum.
Computer Experiences, Self-Efficacy And Knowledge Of Students Enrolled In Introductory University Agriculture Courses
Authors: Johnson Donald M. , Ferguson James A. , Lester Melissa L.
Published: December 2010

Students (n =175) enrolled in three freshman-level agriculture courses at a land-grant universityduring the Fall 1998 semester were surveyed to determine their computer experiences, computer selfefficacy, and computer knowledge. The students reported a variety of computer experiences, with 74.3% having completed a computer use course and 62.3% owning a computer. Over one-half of the students had received formal instruction in word processing (68.6%), file management (42.8%) and spreadsheet use (54.8%). Fewer than one-half had receivedformal instruction in databases (42.3 %) presentation graphics (37. I %), had a below average level of computer self-efficacy. The overall score on the 3.5 item multiple choice test of computer knowledge was low, with a mean of 13.42 (38.3% correct). The number of computer topics studied was the best predictor of both computer self-efficacy (r = .48) and computer knowledge (r = .45). A substantialpositive correlation (r = .67) existed between computer self-efficacy andcomputer knowledge. the Internet (37. I %), electronic mail (35.4%) or computer programming (28.0%). The students had a below average level of computer self-efficacy. The overall score on the 3.5 item multiple choice test of computer knowledge was low, with a mean of 13.42 (38.3% correct). The number of computer topics studied was the best predictor of both computer self-efficacy (r = .48) and computer knowledge (I = .45). A substantialpositive correlation (l = .67) existed between computer self-efficacy andcomputer knowledge.
Recognizing Tenured 4-H Adult Volunteers
Authors: Cupl III , Schwartz Vicki J.
Published: December 2010

Conducting volunteer recognition activities consumes considerable time and effort on the part of Extension agents whofunction as volunteer coordinators. But what types andsources of recognition do 4-H volunteers most appreciate? The purpose of this study was to inquire of current tenured 4-H volunteers what broad categories and specific kinds of recognition they most value, as well as by whom they most appreciate being recognized. Data were collectedfrom 2 79 volunteers attending a state 4-H volunteer recognition banquet. while formalpublic events were the most frequent components of county recognition programs, 4-H volunteers ranked informal rewards, which generated intrinsic feelings of recognition as more desirable. Therefore, initiatives which emphasize informal, personal recognition of volunteers, which are designed to stimulate intrinsic feelings of accomplishment, importance, or self-worth, in combination with public events, will enhance the effectiveness of the organization 's volunteer recognition program.
Identifying Barriers To Infusion Of Aquaculture Into Secondary Agriscience: Adoption Of A Curriculum Innovation
Authors: Conroy Carol A.
Published: December 2010

The large numbers of workers needed for jobs in technical agriculture, including those in aquaculture must understand basic biology and chemistry concepts and processes. Aquaculture education, when infused into the secondary agriscience curriculum, can help meet these needs. It provides an experiential learning experience that motivates students to learn science and mathematics, as well as reinforcing other academic disciplines. Not all teachers, however, may believe aquaculture to be a viable curricular choice for their individual programs. This article is based on a larger study commissioned by The National Council for Agricultural Education to examine implementation of aquaculture education in the United States. Specifically, this article addresses perceptions of secondary agriculture teachers regarding the barriers to offering aquaculture as part of an established agriculture program. Results of this multiple methods study indicate that if teachers believe that offering aquaculture as part of their curriculum will result in benefits to students they will find the means to overcome most perceived barriers, including cost.
Learning Styles, Teaching Performance, And Student Achievement: A Relational Study
Authors: Garton Bryan L. , Spain James N. , Lamberson Willaim R. , Spiers Donald E.
Published: December 2010

Learning styles have been shown to have an influence on students' academic achievement, how students learn, and student/teacher interaction. The purpose of this study was to describe relationships between students , learning styles, instructor 's teaching performance, and student achievement in an introductory animal science course. The Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) was used to assess students , preferred learning styles. Four instructors with GEFT scores ranging from 6 to 18 taught the course. Students rated each instructor 's teaching performance using a standard university evaluation. Learning style classifications of students were: field-independent, 56%; neutral, 22%, andfield-dependent, 22%. The mean GEFT score (13.4 f .28) was significantly higher than the national mean. Negligible to low correlation coefficients were found between students ' GEFT scores and teaching evaluation scores for all four instructors regardless of the instructor 's GEFT score. Students ' achievement in the course was found to have a low positive relationship with their preferred way of learning. Students , advising group status accountedfor 30% of the variance in their achievement in the course. The diversity of learning styles was found to have little to no influence on students , achievement in the course or their perceptions of the instructors' teaching performance.
Faculty Perceptions Of Web-Based Distance Education In Agriculture
Authors: Born Kevin A. , Miller Greg
Published: December 2010

The demandfor distance education (DE) has continued to increase. Recent technology advances allow more flexibility in the methods of delivering this education. These advances have created a challenge for most universities and educators to again reevaluate their role in DE. Web-based courses andprograms are one exciting avenue that needs to be researched and evaluated. Faculty will play an important role in the acceptance and adoption of these types of programs. This study investigated the perceptions of Iowa State University Department of Agronomy faculty regarding web-based DE and more specifically the M.S. in Agronomy Distance Education Degree Program. Findings showed that perceptions were significantly higher when faculty were familiar with the MS. in Agronomy Degree Program, had viewed a lesson, or had been involved in the program. Overall, the faculty were undecided about their perception of web-based DE and the M.S. in Agronomy Degree Program; their largest concerns focused on the value of web-based degrees, the effectiveness of student-professor interaction, and the rigor of web-based DE. Faculty were the most positive about the comparability between web-based DE and on-campus courses in regard to challenge. The faculty also thought the university should develop more web-based courses and integrate them into the curricula.
Factors Affecting Involvement Of Volunteers In Extension Education Activities In Talesh Township, Iran
Authors: Chizari Mohammad , Lindner James R. , Karjoyan Sassan
Published: December 2010

Self-sufficiency in food and fiber production is a goal of Iran 's Extension service. In an effort to bolster Extension 's efforts, volunteers are enlisted to work with Extension agents andfarmers. Well-trained and competent volunteers are effective in helping the Extension service disseminate knowledge to farmers. Little is known about factors that affect involvement of volunteers in Extension education activities. All Extension volunteers (138) in the Talesh Township, Iran were surveyed Factors that most encouraged volunteers to participate in Extension education programs were for the sake of God, leaving a good name and memory, and closer relationships with Extension agents. Volunteers were also more likely to participate in tasks and training programs that provided immediate benefit towards farming operations. Men were more likely than women to become volunteers.
Perceptions Of Extension Agents' Educational Needs Regarding Sustainable Agriculture In The Khorasan Province, Iran
Authors: Chiazari Mohammad , Lindner James R. , Zoghie Mohammad
Published: December 2010

As Iran addresses its goal of self-sufficiency in the production of food and fiber products, sustainable agriculture practices are gaining interest within Extension and the Ministry of Agriculture as a means of achieving this goal. Dependence on pesticide and insecticide imports, compounded by a growing population, limited arable land and high soil erosion, has lead to the call for more appropriate agricultural practices. Little is known, however, about what knowledge and educational needs Extension agents have regarding sustainable agriculture practices. A random sample of Extension agents (N = 90) in the Khorasan Province, Iran was surveyed. Most agents reported they needed more training on sustainable agriculture practices before they coulddisseminate this innovation. To receive this information, agents indicated they wanted more flexible (less compulsory) trainingprograms thatfocused on successful programs in other countries. Agent training should be focused on linkages with local research centers and faculty. Agents perceived a need for more Extension-education programs.
A Comparative Analysis Of Ohio Agriculture Teachers' Level Of Job Satisfaction
Authors: Castillo Jaime X. , Cano Jamie
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this study was to report similarities and dissimilarities of the descriptivecorrelational job satisfaction studies conducted by Newcomb, Betts, and Cano (1987), Cano and Miller (1992), and Castillo, Cano, and Conklin (1997). Specifically, this study sought to compare overall job satisfaction levels and the factors associated with job satisfaction/dissatisfaction among female and male agriculture teachers in Ohio over a ten-year period. Job satisfying (motivator) factors investigated were: achievement, advancement, recognition, responsibility, and the work itself. Job dissatisfying (hygiene) factors investigated were: interpersonal relations, policy and administration, salary, supervision, and working conditions. Demographic characteristics in all three studies were reported. There has been a major increase in the number of female teachers. Moreover, there was a decrease in the number of teachers of agriculture in Ohio. Overall, Ohio agriculture teachers have remained satisfied with their jobs over the past ten years. Female and male teachers have remained slightly dissatisfied to satisfied with the motivator and hygiene factors of their job. It was recommended that bureaucracies of the job and opportunities for advancement be reconsidered and investigatedfor gender bias. Furthermore, informative administrative training with regard to agricultural education program responsibilities was suggested.
Emission location dependent ozone depletion potentials for very short-lived halogenated species
Authors: Pisso I. , Haynes P. H. , Law K. S.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. We present trajectory-based estimates of Ozone Depletion Potentials (ODPs) for very short-lived halogenated source gases as a function of surface emission location. The ODPs are determined by the fraction of source gas and its degradation products which reach the stratosphere, depending primarily on tropospheric transport and chemistry, and the effect of the resulting reactive halogen in the stratosphere, which is determined by stratospheric transport and chemistry, in particular by stratospheric residence time. Reflecting the different timescales and physico-chemical processes in the troposphere and stratosphere, the estimates are based on calculation of separate ensembles of trajectories for the troposphere and stratosphere. A methodology is described by which information from the two ensembles can be combined to give the ODPs. The ODP estimates for a species with a fixed 20 d lifetime, representing a compound like n-propyl bromide, are presented as an example. The estimated ODPs show strong geographical and seasonal variation, particularly within the tropics. The values of the ODPs are sensitive to the inclusion of a convective parametrization in the trajectory calculations, but the relative spatial and seasonal variation is not. The results imply that ODPs are largest for emissions from south and south-east Asia during Northern Hemisphere summer and from the western Pacific during Northern Hemisphere winter. Large ODPs are also estimated for emissions throughout the tropics with non-negligible values also extending into northern mid-latitudes, particularly in the summer. These first estimates, whilst made under some simplifying assumptions, show larger ODPs for certain emission regions, particularly south Asia in NH summer, than have typically been reported by previous studies which used emissions distributed evenly over land surfaces.
Global atmospheric model for mercury including oxidation by bromine atoms
Authors: Holmes C. D. , Jacob D. J. , Corbitt E. S. , Mao J. , Yang X. , Talbot R. , Slemr F.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. Global models of atmospheric mercury generally assume that gas-phase OH and ozone are the main oxidants converting Hg0 to HgII and thus driving mercury deposition to ecosystems. However, thermodynamic considerations argue against the importance of these reactions. We demonstrate here the viability of atomic bromine (Br) as an alternative Hg0 oxidant. We conduct a global 3-D simulation with the GEOS-Chem model assuming gas-phase Br to be the sole Hg0 oxidant (Hg + Br model) and compare to the previous version of the model with OH and ozone as the sole oxidants (Hg + OH/O3 model). We specify global 3-D Br concentration fields based on our best understanding of tropospheric and stratospheric Br chemistry. In both the Hg + Br and Hg + OH/O3 models, we add an aqueous photochemical reduction of HgII in cloud to impose a tropospheric lifetime for mercury of 6.5 months against deposition, as needed to reconcile observed total gaseous mercury (TGM) concentrations with current estimates of anthropogenic emissions. This added reduction would not be necessary in the Hg + Br model if we adjusted the Br oxidation kinetics downward within their range of uncertainty. We find that the Hg + Br and Hg + OH/O3 models are equally capable of reproducing the spatial distribution of TGM and its seasonal cycle at northern mid-latitudes. The Hg + Br model shows a steeper decline of TGM concentrations from the tropics to southern mid-latitudes. Only the Hg + Br model can reproduce the springtime depletion and summer rebound of TGM observed at polar sites; the snowpack component of GEOS-Chem suggests that 40% of HgII deposited to snow in the Arctic is transferred to the ocean and land reservoirs, amounting to a net deposition flux to the Arctic of 60 Mg a−1. Summertime events of depleted Hg0 at Antarctic sites due to subsidence are much better simulated by the Hg + Br model. Model comparisons to observed wet deposition fluxes of mercury in the US and Europe show general consistency. However the Hg + Br model does not capture the summer maximum over the southeast US because of low subtropical Br concentrations while the Hg + OH/O3 model does. Vertical profiles measured from aircraft show a decline of Hg0 above the tropopause that can be captured by both the Hg + Br and Hg + OH/O3 models, except in Arctic spring where the observed decline is much steeper than simulated by either model; we speculate that oxidation by Cl species might be responsible. The Hg + Br and Hg + OH/O3 models yield similar global budgets for the cycling of mercury between the atmosphere and surface reservoirs, but the Hg + Br model results in a much larger fraction of mercury deposited to the Southern Hemisphere oceans.
Attribution of stratospheric ozone trends to chemistry and transport: a modelling study
Authors: Kiesewetter G. , Sinnhuber B.-M. , Weber M. , Burrows J. P.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. The decrease of the concentration of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) in the stratosphere over the past decade raises the question to what extent observed changes in stratospheric ozone over this period are consistent with known changes in the chemical composition and possible changes in atmospheric transport. Here we present a series of ozone sensitivity calculations with a stratospheric chemistry transport model (CTM) driven by meteorological reanalyses from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, covering the period 1978–2009. In order to account for the reversal in ODS trends, ozone trends are analysed as piecewise linear trends over two periods, 1979–1999 and 2000–2009. Modelled column ozone (TO3) inter-annual variability and trends are in excellent agreement with observations from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) and Solar Backscatter UV (SBUV/2) as well as the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME/GOME2) and Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) instruments. In the period 1979–1999, modelled TO3 trends at mid-latitudes are dominated by changes in in situ gas-phase chemistry, which contribute to about 50% or more of the TO3 trend in most seasons. Changes in meteorology contribute around 35% to mid-latitude TO3 trends, with strong differences between different seasons. In springtime, export of ozone depleted air from polar latitudes contributes about 35–50% to the modelled TO3 trend at SH mid-latitudes and about 15–30% at NH mid-latitudes. Over the period 2000–2009 positive linear trends in modelled TO3, which agree well with observed TO3 trends, are dominated by changes in meteorology, as expected for the yet small decrease in stratospheric halogen loading over this period. While the TO3 trends themselves are not statistically significant over the period 2000–2009, changes in linear trends between 1978–1999 and 2000–2009 are significant at mid- and high latitudes of both hemisphere during most seasons. However, changes in meteorology have contributed substantially to these TO3 trend changes.
Nonlinear evolution of the modulational instability under weak forcing and damping
Authors: Touboul J. , Kharif C.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. The evolution of modulational instability, or Benjamin-Feir instability is investigated within the framework of the two-dimensional fully nonlinear potential equations, modified to include wind forcing and viscous dissipation. The wind model corresponds to the Miles' theory. The introduction of dissipation in the equations is briefly discussed. Evolution of this instability in the presence of damping was considered by Segur et al. (2005a) and Wu et al. (2006). Their results were extended theoretically by Kharif et al. (2010) who considered wind forcing and viscous dissipation within the framework of a forced and damped nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The marginal stability curve derived from the fully nonlinear numerical simulations coincides with the curve obtained by Kharif et al. (2010) from a linear stability analysis. Furthermore, it is found that the presence of wind forcing promotes the occurrence of a permanent frequency-downshifting without invoking damping due to breaking wave phenomenon.
Observational tests of the properties of turbulence in the Very Local Interstellar Medium
Authors: Spangler S. R. , Savage A. H. , Redfield S.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. The Very Local Interstellar Medium (VLISM) contains clouds which consist of partially-ionized plasma. These clouds can be effectively diagnosed via high resolution optical and ultraviolet spectroscopy of the absorption lines they form in the spectra of nearby stars. Information provided by these spectroscopic measurements includes values for ξ, the root-mean-square velocity fluctuation due to turbulence in these clouds, and T, the ion temperature, which may be partially determined by dissipation of turbulence. We consider whether this turbulence resembles the extensively studied and well-diagnosed turbulence in the solar wind and solar corona. Published observations are used to determine if the velocity fluctuations are primarily transverse to a large-scale magnetic field, whether the temperature perpendicular to the large scale field is larger than that parallel to the field, and whether ions with larger Larmor radii have higher temperatures than smaller gyroradius ions. We ask if the spectroscopically-deduced parameters such as ξ and T depend on the direction on the sky. We also consider the degree to which a single temperature T and turbulence parameter ξ account for the spectral line widths of ions with a wide range of masses. A preliminary examination of the published data shows no evidence for anisotropy of the velocity fluctuations or temperature, nor Larmor radius-dependent heating. These results indicate differences between solar wind and Local Cloud turbulence. Possible physical reasons for these differences are discussed.
About the seasonal and fortnightly variabilities of the Mediterranean outflow
Authors: Millot C. , Garcia-Lafuente J.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. CTD time series from the HYDRO-CHANGES programme and INGRES projects have been collected simultaneously (2004–2008) on the Moroccan shelf and at the Camarinal and Espartel Sills in the strait of Gibraltar. They provide information that supports results recently obtained from the analysis of the two former time series, as well as from a reanalysis of CTD GIBEX profiles (1985–1986). The outflow of Mediterranean Waters, which does not show a clear seasonal variability before entering the strait, strongly mixes within the strait, due mainly to the internal tide, with the seasonally variable inflow of Atlantic Water. The outflow thus gets marked seasonal and fortnightly variabilities within the strait. Furthermore, since the outflow entering the strait displays marked spatial heterogeneity and long-term temporal variabilities, predicting its characteristics when in the ocean appears almost impossible.
Ultrasonographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnosis of an Oropharyngeal Wood Penetrating Injury in a Dog
Authors: Potanas Christopher P. , Armbrust Laura J. , Klocke Emily E. , Lister Stephanie A. , Jimenez David A. , Saltysiak Kathleen A.
Published: December 2010

A 5 yr old female intact English setter with a 17 day history of a penetrating oropharyngeal wound was referred for cervical swelling and pain. Physical examination revealed swelling at the left lateral aspect of the cranial cervical region. Pain was elicited upon flexion, extension, and leftward movement of the neck. Neurologic deficits were not identified. Cervical ultrasonography showed a 0.4 cm × 2.3 cm linear, hyperechoic structure in the soft tissues ventrolateral to the first (C1) and second (C2) cervical vertebrae. MRI demonstrated a linear structure 2 cm in length adjacent to the cranial aspect of C2. The foreign material was isointense to hyperintense on precontrast T1-weighted images, isointense on postcontrast T1-weighted images, and hypointense on T2-weighted images relative to adjacent muscle. Abnormalities within the spinal canal were not identified. Upon surgical exploration, a reed foreign body was identified deep to the serratus ventralis muscle. The patient was normal on follow-up evaluations 4 wk postsurgically.
Rhinoscopic Diagnosis of Eucoleus boehmi Infection in a Dog
Authors: Baan Mieke , Kidder Aimee C. , Johnson Susan E. , Sherding Robert G.
Published: December 2010

A dog presenting for chronic purulent nasal discharge was diagnosed with an Eucoleus boehmi infection based upon rhinoscopic appearance of the nasal worms in situ, identification of the adult parasites in rhinoscopic nasal biopsies, and ova in the feces. The dog was successfully treated with a 2 wk course of fenbendazole and measures preventing reinfection through coprophagia. Patients with chronic nasal discharge should have a fecal examination performed to rule out infection with E. boehmi.
Evaluation and Treatment of a Posttraumatic Intrahepatic Biloma in a Dog
Authors: Soultani Christina , Patsikas Michail , Mylonakis Mathios , Papazoglou Lysimachos , Papadopoulou Paraskevi L. , Papakonstantinou Pantelis E. , Tziris Nikolaos
Published: December 2010

A 9 mo old male mixed-breed dog was presented with a history of chronic vomiting and fever after undergoing a cholecystectomy for the management of traumatic cystic duct rupture associated with biliary effusion 10 days before referral. A 6 cm × 6 cm intrahepatic bile collection, a biloma, was diagnosed on abdominal ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration. The biloma was treated with percutaneous catheter drainage under ultrasonographic guidance. Two years after aspiration, the dog continued to do well.
A single‐use purification process for the production of a monoclonal antibody produced in a PER.C6 human cell line
Authors: Kuczewski Michael , Schirmer Emily , Lain Blanca , Zarbis‐Papastoitsis Gregory
Published: December 2010

Advances in single‐use technologies can enable greater speed, flexibility, and a smaller footprint for multi‐product production facilities, such as at a contract manufacturer. Recent efforts in the area of cell line and media optimization have resulted in bioreactor productivities that exceed 8 g/L in fed‐batch processes or 25 g/L in high‐density cell culture processes. In combination with the development of single‐use stirred tank bioreactors with larger working volumes, these intensified upstream processes can now be fit into a single‐use manufacturing setting. Contrary to these upstream advances, downstream single‐use technologies have been slower to follow, mostly limited by low capacity, high cost, and poor scalability. In this study we describe a downstream process based solely on single‐use technologies that meets the challenges posed by expression of a mAb (IgG1) in a high‐density suspension culture of PER.C6® cells. The cell culture harvest was clarified by enhanced cell settling (ECS™) and depth filtration. Precipitation was used for crude purification of the mAb. A high capacity chromatographic membrane was then used in bind/elute mode, followed by two membranes in flow‐through (FT) mode for polishing. A proof of concept of the entire disposable process was completed for two different scales of the purification train.
Recombinant antibodies: Engineering and production in yeast and bacterial hosts
Authors: Jeong Ki Jun , Jang Seung Hoon , Velmurugan Natarajan
Published: December 2010

After the appearance of the first FDA‐approved antibody 25 years ago, antibodies have become major therapeutic agents in the treatment of many human diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases, and the use of antibodies as therapeutic/diagnostic agents is expected to increase in the future. So far, a variety of strategies have been devised for engineering of these fascinating molecules to develop superior properties and functions. Recent progress in systems biology has provided more information about the structures and cellular networks of antibodies, and, in addition, recent development of biotechnology tools, particularly in regard to high‐throughput screening, has made it possible to perform more intensive engineering on these substances. Based on a sound understanding and new technologies, antibodies are now being developed as more powerful drugs. In this review, we highlight the recent, significant progress that has been made in antibody engineering, with a particular focus on Fc engineering and glycoengineering for improved functions, and cellular engineering for enhanced production of antibodies in yeast and bacterial hosts.
Xenoestrogens Regulate the Activity of Arginine Methyltransferases
Authors: Cheng Donghang , Bedford Mark T.
Published: December 2010

Arginine methylation is a common post‐translational modification that has been strongly implicated in transcriptional regulation. The arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) were first reported as transcriptional coactivators for the estrogen and androgen receptors. Compounds that inhibit these enzymes will provide us with valuable tools for dissecting the roles of these enzymes in cells, and will possibly also have therapeutic applications. In order to identify such inhibitors of the PRMTs, we have previously performed a high‐throughput screen using a small molecule library. These compounds were named arginine methyltransferase inhibitors (AMIs). The majority of these inhibitors were polyphenols, and one in particular (AMI‐18) shared additional features with a group of known xenoestrogens. We, thus, tested a panel of xenoestrogens and found that a number of them possess the ability to inhibit PRMT activity, in vitro. These inhibitors primarily target CARM1, and include licochalcone A, kepone, benzyl 4‐hydroxybenzoate, and tamoxifen. We developed a cell‐based reporter system for CARM1 activity, and showed that tamoxifen (IC50=30 μM) inhibits this PRMT. The ability of these compounds to regulate the activity of transcriptional coactivators may be an unappreciated mechanism of action for xenoestrogens, and might also explain the efficacy of high‐dose tamoxifen treatment on estrogen receptor negative cancers.
Velocity measurement in the hydrocyclone by oil droplet, doppler ultrasound velocimetry, and CFD modelling
Authors: Siangsanun V. , Guigui C. , Morchain J. , Marteil P. , Levecq C. , Puprasert C. , Hébrard G.
Published: December 2010

To develop the water treatment process, the hydrocyclone is now used as a unit to operate. Understanding hydrodynamics is a key step to improve the separation process efficiency. Recently, a new simple method called the oil droplet method was proposed by Bamrungsri et al. [Chem. Eng. Res. Design 86, 1263‐1270 (2008)] and applied to velocity measurements in a hydrocyclone.

The Doppler Velocimetry measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have been proposed by many researchers as effective for studying the flow field of a hydrocyclone. This work presents a comparison of the experimental results from these two methods along with those obtained from numerical simulations. The numerical calculations of the 3D flow field were performed with FLUENT using the k‐ε model and the Reynolds stress model (RSM). Measurements and CFD simulations were performed for two hydrocyclone configurations (5 and 10 cm diameter).

Doppler ultrasound velocimetry data and CFD–RSM results are in close agreement. The oil droplet method is less accurate for the continuous phase velocity profiles but is promising for the validation of Lagrangian tracking simulations.
Determination of Trace Levels of Nickel and Manganese in Soil, Vegetable, and Water
Authors: Khani Rouhollah , Shemirani Farzaneh
Published: December 2010

A simple and reliable method for rapid and selective extraction and determination of trace levels of Ni2+ and Mn2+ was developed by ionic liquid (IL) based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) detection. The proposed method was successfully applied to the preconcentration and determination of nickel and manganese in soil, vegetable, and water samples. After preconcentration, the settled IL‐phase was dissolved in 100 µL of ethanol and aspirated into the FAAS using a home‐made microsample introduction system. Injection of 50 µL of each analyte into an air–acetylene flame provided very sensitive spike‐like and reproducible signals. Effective parameters such as pH, amount of IL, volume of the disperser solvent, concentration of the chelating agent, and effect of salt concentration were inspected by a (25‐1) fractional factorial design to identify the most important parameters and their interactions. Under optimum conditions, preconcentration of 10 mL sample solution permitted the detection of 0.93 µg L−1 Ni2+ and 0.52 µg L−1 Mn2+ with enrichment factors 77.2 and 82.6 for Ni2+ and Mn2+, respectively. The accuracy of the procedure was evaluated by analysis of a certified reference material (CRM TMDW‐500, drinking water).
Does delay of adjuvant chemotherapy impact survival in patients with resected stage II and III colon adenocarcinoma?
Authors: Bayraktar Ulas Darda , Chen Emerson , Bayraktar Soley , Sands Laurence R. , Marchetti Floriano , Montero Alberto Jose , Rocha‐Lima Caio Max S.
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND:

It is unclear whether delays in commencing adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection of colon adenocarcinoma adversely impact survival.

METHODS:

Patients with stage II‐III colon adenocarcinoma who received adjuvant chemotherapy at 2 centers were identified through the institutional tumor registry. Time to adjuvant chemotherapy, overall survival (OS), and relapse‐free survival (RFS) were calculated from the day of surgery. Patients were dichotomized into early (time to adjuvant chemotherapy ≤60 days) and late treatment (time to adjuvant chemotherapy >60 days) groups. OS and RFS were compared using log‐rank test and multivariate analysis by the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS:

Of 186 patients included in the study, 49 (26%) had received adjuvant chemotherapy >60 days after surgical resection. Thirty percent of the delays were system related (eg, late referrals, insurance authorizations). Time to adjuvant chemotherapy >60 days was associated with significantly worse OS in both univariate analysis and a Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio, 2.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.08‐4.36). Although difference in RFS between the 2 groups favored time to adjuvant chemotherapy <60, this did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Adjuvant chemotherapy delay >60 days after surgical resection of colon cancer is associated with worse OS. Cancer 2011;. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Anal cancer and cervical cancer screening: Key differences
Authors: Darragh Teresa M. , Winkler Barbara
Published: December 2010

Cervical cancer and anal cancer share many similarities including causation by oncogenic human papillomaviruses; however, significant differences exist in their epidemiology, risk factors, biologic behavior, management, and treatment. Although rare, the incidence of anal cancer is alarmingly high and continues to increase in high‐risk populations, particularly men who have sex with men regardless of their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. There are no national screening guidelines for anal cancer. Using the success of cervical cancer screening as a model, anal cancer screening approaches apply anal cytology, high‐resolution anoscopy, and directed biopsy to guide treatment and management strategies. Although much has been learned about the natural history and epidemiology of anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN), the rate of progression of high‐grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (HGAIN) to invasive squamous cell carcinomas is not known. The impact of screening and treatment of HGAIN on morbidity and mortality from anal cancer are also unknown. Because the incidence of HGAIN and anal squamous cell carcinoma continue to increase, it is imperative to find pathways for effective screening, early detection, and therapeutic intervention. This article provides an overview of anal cancer screening while highlighting its differences from cervical cancer screening and the remaining obstacles and controversies to implementation of a successful anal cancer screening program. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011;. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Corporate social responsibility in times of recession: Changing discourses and implications for policy and practice
Authors: Ellis Louise , Bastin Claire
Published: December 2010

In UK environmental, social, and economic policy‐making sustainable development (SD) is discussed in a corporate‐centric manner, with corporate social responsibility (CSR) seen as an extension of SD. The CSR and SD agendas have, to some extent, been confined to ones which are ‘safe’ in the current economic system. This paper examines whether the way corporations ‘talk about’ CSR has changed during the recession.

Using document analysis and interviews with key informants, this paper contributes to the debate around whether change in language leads to change in action and whether this affects agenda‐setting and policy‐making. This paper contributes to the debate linking CSR and corporate activity and investigates how robust CSR activity is when economic prosperity is threatened. Initial findings suggest that CSR is seemingly recession‐proof, at least in part because corporate commitment to CSR remains conservative and securely grounded in the safe area of efficiency. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Synthesis of Trifunctional Phosphatidylserine Probes for Identification of Lipid‐Binding Proteins
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Saibal , Bong Dennis
Published: December 2010

Phosphatidylserine (PS) lipids play a number of roles in cell biology, one of which is to mark apoptotic cells for clearance by macrophages. PS recognition triggers macrophage recognition and clearance, which occurs concomitantly with active suppression of an inflammatory response. A small number of proteins in different tissues have been identified as PS receptors, and we hypothesize that many more PS receptors have yet to be found. We have designed and synthesized a set of phosphatidylserine lipid mimics with a PS lipid headgroup for recognition, a benzophenone moiety for photoaffinity cross‐linking, and an alkyne for post‐labeling readout. These probes may be useful tools to identify new PS receptors (PSRs). The PS lipid probes thus have potential impact in the areas of discovery biology, anti‐inflammatory therapeutics, and cellular delivery. We present herein a versatile and robust synthetic approach to trifunctional phosphatidyl serine lipid mimics for identification of novel PSR proteins.