bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Organizing Distributed Architecture Supporting Dynamic Space Expanding and Reducing in Indoor LBS Environment
Authors: Jeong Seol , Jo Hyeong , Kang Soon
Published: May 2015

Indoor location-based services (iLBS) are extremely dynamic and changeable, and include numerous resources and mobile devices. In particular, the network infrastructure requires support for high scalability in the indoor environment, and various resource lookups are requested concurrently and frequently from several locations based on the dynamic network environment. A traditional map-based centralized approach for iLBSs has several disadvantages: it requires global knowledge to maintain a complete geographic indoor map; the central server is a single point of failure; it can also cause low scalability and traffic congestion; and it is hard to adapt to a change of service area in real time. This paper proposes a self-organizing and fully distributed platform for iLBSs. The proposed self-organizing distributed platform provides a dynamic reconfiguration of locality accuracy and service coverage by expanding and contracting dynamically. In order to verify the suggested platform, scalability performance according to the number of inserted or deleted nodes composing the dynamic infrastructure was evaluated through a simulation similar to the real environment.
Profile of Green Consumers in Romania in Light of Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Roman Teodora , Bostan Ionel , Manolică Adriana , Mitrica Iustin
Published: May 2015

Sustainability and responsible consumption are now the policies of companies interested in preserving a good reputation. If in the past, sustainability was an issue present only in the corporate social responsibility campaigns developed by companies; nowadays, this aspect has become a key element that has been proven to influence the purchasing behavior of consumers. The existence of policies and strategies in the area of sustainability does not necessarily mean their being put into practice as long as people, who make these objectives attainable, are not aware of them. The present paper aims to explore the green consumption of Romanian consumers, which would indicate whether the concern for environmental problems is then translated into an appropriate behavior; in other words, whether “words become facts”. At the same time, this paper analyzes the extent to which the “green trend” has gained popularity in Romania, how involved the Romanian consumers are with environmental issues and the behaviors they adopt in order to mitigate the impact on the ecosystem. However, there are differences between individual opinions on green consumption and the actual behavior adopted in trying to ameliorate this issue.
Consumer-Related Food Waste: Causes and Potential for Action
Authors: Aschemann-Witzel Jessica , De Hooge Ilona , Amani Pegah , Bech-Larsen Tino , Oostindjer Marije
Published: May 2015

In the past decade, food waste has received increased attention on both academic and societal levels. As a cause of negative economic, environmental and social effects, food waste is considered to be one of the sustainability issues that needs to be addressed. In developed countries, consumers are one of the biggest sources of food waste. To successfully reduce consumer-related food waste, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the factors influencing food waste-related consumer perceptions and behaviors. The present paper presents the results of a literature review and expert interviews on factors causing consumer-related food waste in households and supply chains. Results show that consumers’ motivation to avoid food waste, their management skills of food provisioning and food handling and their trade-offs between priorities have an extensive influence on their food waste behaviors. We identify actions that governments, societal stakeholders and retailers can undertake to reduce consumer-related food waste, highlighting that synergistic actions between all parties are most promising. Further research should focus on exploring specific food waste contexts and interactions more in-depth. Experiments and interventions in particular can contribute to a shift from analysis to solutions.
Sustainability Aspects of Real Estate Development: Lithuanian Case Study of Sports and Entertainment Arenas
Authors: Apanavičienė Rasa , Daugėlienė Ala , Baltramonaitis Tautvydas , Maliene Vida
Published: May 2015

The principles of sustainability have become particularly important in the real estate and construction sector over the past decade. Despite extended efforts to evaluate the sustainability aspects of the real estate development, very few attempts have been exposed in the scientific literature pursuing integrating the investors and real estate developers’ responsibility for the local community, regional economy and environmental problems within their financial expectations. The paper presents methodology enabling evaluating the balance of real estate development sustainability and financial viability issues during the feasibility study process. The Model for Real Estate Investment Evaluation Based on Sustainable Development Aspects proposed by the authors was applied to the case study of Lithuanian sports and entertainment arenas. By using multi-criteria decision analysis sustainability assessment of multi-functional arenas was carried out which disclosed that positive sustainability effects lays down on the owner’s and operator’s monetary liabilities.
The State of Soil Degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Baselines, Trajectories, and Solutions
Authors: Tully Katherine , Sullivan Clare , Weil Ray , Sanchez Pedro
Published: May 2015

The primary cause of soil degradation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is expansion and intensification of agriculture in efforts to feed its growing population. Effective solutions will support resilient systems, and must cut across agricultural, environmental, and socioeconomic objectives. While many studies compare and contrast the effects of different management practices on soil properties, soil degradation can only be evaluated within a specific temporal and spatial context using multiple indicators. The extent and rate of soil degradation in SSA is still under debate as there are no reliable data, just gross estimates. Nevertheless, certain soils are losing their ability to provide food and essential ecosystem services, and we know that soil fertility depletion is the primary cause. We synthesize data from studies that examined degradation in SSA at broad spatial and temporal scales and quantified multiple soil degradation indicators, and we found clear indications of degradation across multiple indicators. However, different indicators have different trajectories—pH and cation exchange capacity tend to decline linearly, and soil organic carbon and yields non-linearly. Future research should focus on how soil degradation in SSA leads to changes in ecosystem services, and how to manage these soils now and in the future.
Farmer’s Knowledge and Perception of Diversified Farming Systems in Sub-Humid and Semi-Arid Areas in Benin
Authors: Segnon Alcade , Achigan-Dako Enoch , Gaoue Orou , Ahanchédé Adam
Published: May 2015

Building on farmer’s agroecological knowledge to design environmental-friendly agricultural systems is crucial given the environmental impact of industrial agriculture. We investigated the drivers of farmers’ knowledge of agrobiodiversity management and analyzed how farmers’ knowledge and their current farming contexts may guide future farming systems in sub-humid (Bassila) and semi-arid (Boukoumbé) areas of Benin. We conducted structured interviews with 180 farmers and used generalized linear models and correlation analyses to understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of farmers’ knowledge and perception. Land tenure, ecological conditions and sociolinguistic membership were the main drivers of farmers’ knowledge of agroforestry systems, practices, species diversity and current farming systems. Sociolinguistic membership also significantly predicted farmers’ knowledge of livestock management. Farmers in the semi-arid area were more involved in integrated crop-tree-livestock systems than those in the sub-humid area. However, all farmers indicated a willingness to adopt this integrated farming system regardless of socioeconomic and ecological factors. Farmer’s knowledge of agrobiodiversity (crops, agroforestry species and livestock diversity) management was correlated with the involvement in integrated crop-livestock-tree and agroforestry systems. These findings provide insights into how farmers’ knowledge can serve as basis in optimizing agricultural and livelihoods systems. Investigating the ecological, economic and social performance of the most desired integration/diversification options using a system approach involving a co-innovation process can further our mechanistic understanding of farmers decision making process.
Urban Freight Truck Routing under Stochastic Congestion and Emission Considerations
Authors: Hwang Taesung , Ouyang Yanfeng
Published: May 2015

Freight trucks are known to be a major source of air pollutants as well as greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. metropolitan areas, and they have significant effects on air quality and global climate change. Emissions from freight trucks during their deliveries should be considered by the trucking service sector when they make routing decisions. This study proposes a model that incorporates total delivery time, various emissions including CO2, VOC, NOX, and PM from freight truck activities, and a penalty for late or early arrival into the total cost objective of a stochastic shortest path problem. We focus on urban transportation networks in which random congestion states on each link follows an independent probability distribution. Our model finds the best truck routing on a given network so as to minimize the expected total cost. This problem is formulated into a mathematical model, and two solution algorithms including a dynamic programming approach and a deterministic shortest path heuristic are proposed. Numerical examples show that the proposed approach performs very well even for the large-size U.S. urban networks.
Saving the Planet’s Climate or Water Resources? The Trade-Off between Carbon and Water Footprints of European Biofuels
Authors: Berger Markus , Pfister Stephan , Bach Vanessa , Finkbeiner Matthias
Published: May 2015

Little information regarding the global water footprint of biofuels consumed in Europe is available. Therefore, the ultimate origin of feedstock underlying European biodiesel and bioethanol consumption was investigated and combined with the irrigation requirements of different crops in different countries. A (blue) water consumption of 1.9 m3 in 12 countries per GJ of European biodiesel and 3.3 m3 in 23 countries per GJ of bioethanol was determined. Even though this represents an increase by a factor of 60 and 40 compared to fossil diesel and gasoline, these figures are low compared to global average data. The assessment of local consequences has shown that the irrigation of sunflower seed in Spain causes 50% of the impacts resulting from biodiesel—even though it constitutes only 0.9% of the feedstock. In case of bioethanol production, the irrigation of sugar cane in Egypt, which constitutes only 0.7% of the underlying feedstock, causes 20% of the impacts. In a case study on passenger cars, it was shown that biofuels can reduce the global warming potential by circa 50% along the product life cycle. However, the price of this improvement is an approximate 19 times increased water consumption, and resulting local impacts are even more severe.
GIS Modelling for Site-Specific Nitrogen Fertilization towards Soil Sustainability
Authors: Papadopoulos Antonis , Kalivas Dionissios , Hatzichristos Thomas
Published: May 2015

Farmers need to make decisions that in most cases incorporate the concept of prediction and can hardly be revoked. One such decision is the application of fertilizing inputs. During past crop management and decision-making on fertilizing practices, many significant errors have been recorded, which have led and continue to lead to reduced production and environmental burden. The methodology followed in this paper involves the use of GIS, fuzzy logic and expert knowledge, in order to model physical processes associated with nitrogen balance in cultivated ecosystems and to evaluate the capabilities of or limitations on the use of certain fertilizers, based on spatial criteria. An original spatial decision support system was designed, developed and applied in a given study area. The system is composed of two modules (“fertilizing rate” and “fertilizing type”), making use of soil, climate and cultivation practices’ data, as recorded in the area of interest in quantitative or categorical form. The results of the application spatially classify the involved area according to its demand for nitrogen on the basis of the characteristics of each sub-region. The “fertilizing rate” module suggests reduced fertilizing doses of nitrogenous fertilizers compared to those already applied in the area. The system further divides the area into zones where specific types of fertilizers should be applied, giving a certain prescription for the method and time of application.
Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling of Influenza A Virus Proteins
Authors: Li Jing , Yu Meng , Zheng Weinan , Liu Wenjun
Published: May 2015

Influenza viruses transcribe and replicate their genomes in the nuclei of infected host cells. The viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complex of influenza virus is the essential genetic unit of the virus. The viral proteins play important roles in multiple processes, including virus structural maintenance, mediating nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the vRNP complex, virus particle assembly, and budding. Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of viral proteins occurs throughout the entire virus life cycle. This review mainly focuses on matrix protein (M1), nucleoprotein (NP), nonstructural protein (NS1), and nuclear export protein (NEP), summarizing the mechanisms of their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and the regulation of virus replication through their phosphorylation to further understand the regulation of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in host adaptation of the viruses.
The Use of Convalescent Sera in Immune-Electron Microscopy to Detect Non-Suspected/New Viral Agents
Authors: Lavazza Antonio , Tittarelli Cristiana , Cerioli Monica
Published: May 2015

Negative staining electron microscopy methods can be employed for the diagnosis of viral particles in animal samples. In fact, negative staining electron microscopy methods are used to identify viruses, especially in minor species and wild animals, when no other methods are available and in cases of rare, emerging or re-emerging infections. In particular, immune-electron-microscopy with convalescent sera is employed to detect etiological agents when there are undiagnosed clinical outbreaks, when alternative diagnostic methods fail due to the lack of immunological reagents and primers, and when there is no indicative clinical suspect. An overview of immune-electron-microscopy with convalescent sera’s use in the diagnosis of new and unsuspected viruses in animals of domestic and wild species is provided through the descriptions of the following four diagnostic veterinary cases: (I) enteric viruses of pigs: Porcine Rotavirus, Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, Porcine Circovirus and Porcine Torovirus; (II) Rotavirus and astrovirus in young turkeys with enteritis; (III) Parvovirus-like particles in pheasants; and (IV) Lagoviruses: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus and European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus.
Towards a Comprehensive Valuation of Water Management Projects When Data Availability Is Incomplete—The Use of Benefit Transfer Techniques
Authors: Ahlheim Michael , Frör Oliver , Luo Jing , Pelz Sonna , Jiang Tong
Published: May 2015

In this paper we deal with the problem of missing data in environmental cost-benefit analysis. If government pursues the goal of maximizing social welfare, this implies that public funds should be allocated to those uses where they generate the highest net social benefit. This criterion makes it necessary to conduct cost-benefit analyses for public projects. While the assessment of project costs is typically rather straightforward, a comprehensive assessment of the project benefits is more complicated because one has to consider that also people living far away from the project site might benefit from that project. Neglecting these so-called passive use benefits would lead to a systematic undervaluation of environmental projects, thereby reducing their chances of being realized. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis would, therefore, require benefit assessment studies in all areas where passive use values might occur. Obviously, this would be impossible. In this paper we show how the assessment of the social benefits from environmental projects can be enhanced even with an imperfect database by using benefit transfer techniques. This is also illustrated empirically using an example from Northwest China.
Le commerce électronique en France : perspectives de développement (Prospect of electronic commerce in France)
Authors: Lestrade Sophie
Published: May 2015

Résumé. - Cet article essaie de dresser un bilan du commerce électronique en France : la France n'est certes pas dénuée d'atouts pour accueillir cette nouvelle forme de commerce qui comporte d'importants enjeux économiques, juridiques et culturels ; cependant, le commerce électronique se heurte encore, comme partout dans le monde, à un certain nombre d'obstacles ce qui explique la relative prudence des entreprises françaises à l'égard de ce que certains appellent - peut-être un peu trop précocement - la «troisième révolution commerciale de l'an 2000».
Regards géopolitiques sur la restructuration de l'espace baltique (Geopolitical perspectives on the restructuration of the Baltic space)
Authors: Wakermann Gabriel
Published: May 2015

Résumé. - L'espace baltique, naguère déterminant dans le déploiement européen, quelque peu bloqué durant la période d'affrontement des deux grands blocs idéologiques qui ont dominé le monde après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, s'ouvre à nouveau à sa vocation d'espace de liaison entre le nord, l'ouest, le centre et l'est européens. Les imposants décalages même suscités dans sa partie orientale qui subit à présent les répercussions de l'effondrement du collectivisme, retardent et accélèrent à la fois le renouveau. La recomposition en cours témoigne des multiples atouts géopolitiques dont cet ensemble dispose encore, malgré la multipolarisation internationale croissante.
Polymer blend lithography for metal films: large-area patterning with over 1 billion holes/inch2
Authors: Huang Cheng , Förste Alexander , Walheim Stefan , Schimmel Thomas
Published: May 2015

Polymer blend lithography (PBL) is a spin-coating-based technique that makes use of the purely lateral phase separation between two immiscible polymers to fabricate large area nanoscale patterns. In our earlier work (Huang et al. 2012), PBL was demonstrated for the fabrication of patterned self-assembled monolayers. Here, we report a new method based on the technique of polymer blend lithography that allows for the fabrication of metal island arrays or perforated metal films on the nanometer scale, the metal PBL. As the polymer blend system in this work, a mixture of polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is used. This system forms a purely lateral structure on the substrate at controlled humidity, which means that PS droplets are formed in a PMMA matrix, whereby both phases have direct contact both to the substrate and to the air interface. Therefore, a subsequent selective dissolution of either the PS or PMMA component leaves behind a nanostructured film which can be used as a lithographic mask. We use this lithographic mask for the fabrication of metal patterns by thermal evaporation of the metal, followed by a lift-off process. As a consequence, the resulting metal nanostructure is an exact replica of the pattern of the selectively removed polymer (either a perforated metal film or metal islands). The minimum diameter of these holes or metal islands demonstrated here is about 50 nm. Au, Pd, Cu, Cr and Al templates were fabricated in this work by metal PBL. The wavelength-selective optical transmission spectra due to the localized surface plasmonic effect of the holes in perforated Al films were investigated and compared to the respective hole diameter histograms.
STEEP INCREASES IN BIOMASS DEMAND: THE POSSIBILITIES OF SHORT ROTATION COPPICE (SRC) AGRO-FORESTRY
Authors: RASLAVIČIUS Laurencas , AZZOPARDI Brian , KOPEYKA Aleksandr K. , ŠAPARAUSKAS Jonas
Published: May 2015

At current usage levels, short rotation coppice (SRC) biomass could be considered as an untapped resource. There is a worldwide interest to extend its sustainable production significantly in a decade to come. However, the cultivation of energy crops is very site-specific and the exploitation of SRC biomass is a relatively new trend in biomass application for heat and power production with little information on its cultivation patterns and appropriate combustion technologies. In fact, documented biomass conversion technologies’ impacts in the energy sector and their commercialisation are limited. This paper aims to present a summary of technical characteristics for different biomass conversion technologies. These characteristics are not necessarily unique to all types and possible modifications of the biomass conversion technologies applied for many countries. However, the lack of technical knowledge have created situations that were previously impossible to be solved without the aid of numerous research and development activities. The developers did not capture all of the economic benefits that the technology provides which would help to reach its technical accomplishment and commercial execution.
BUSINESS CYCLE – GROWTH NEXUS: A REVIEW
Authors: ŠKARE Marinko , TOMIĆ Daniel
Published: May 2015

Frequent reversals in business cycles pose the question whether country can achieve macroeconomic stability and/or economic growth by coordinating its economic policies. Thus, what is the role of economic policy within the short/long run in amplifying or dampening shocks? Business cycle – economic growth relationship is rather ambiguous and has, thus, attracted controversy. In this sense the (dis)belief that there indeed exists a relationship between the economic growth and business cycle, and their long-run convergence brings us to three important hypotheses that: (1) the evaluation of cycle-growth bond is inconclusive, (2) empirical testing of cycle synchronization is exaggerated and (3) the hypothesis of coupling/decoupling is ambiguous and can be misleading. Economic growth is a complex process and cannot be attributed to a single factor of observance hence this essay is just a tool of theoretical reasoning with firm grip on empirical circumstances that lead us to consider some issues that dwell the “growth economists” these days. Our study suggests a conclusion that discussions on the cycle-growth nexus are far from over, revealing us some remarkable confrontations within empirical domain.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Colobomatous Microphthalmos
Authors: Dar Suhail A. , Johal Sheila C. , Marino Meghan J. , Singh Arun D.
Published: May 2015

Optic nerve coloboma and microphthalmos with colobomatous cyst are rare congenital anomalies that are difficult to detect on prenatal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Only four cases of optic nerve coloboma and two cases of microphthalmos with colobomatous cyst have been detected on prenatal imaging. The authors report a case of a fetus initially suspected to have retinoblastoma of the right eye on prenatal ultrasonography who was later diagnosed as having microphthalmos on fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Following delivery, she was noted to have microphthalmos with colobomatous cyst of the right eye and optic nerve coloboma of the left eye. The authors also review the prenatal ocular imaging findings of the differential diagnosis.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2015;52:e22–e25.]
Duane Retraction Syndrome Type 1 With Usher Syndrome Type 2: An Unreported Association
Authors: Khurana Bhawna Piplani , Khurana Aruj Kumar , Grover Sumit
Published: May 2015

Duane retraction syndrome is characterized by globe retraction and palpebral fissure narrowing on adduction, with restriction of abduction, adduction, or both. Usher syndrome type 2 consists of congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosa. The authors present a case with a yet unreported association between Duane retraction syndrome type 1 and Usher syndrome type 2.[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.2015;52:e26–e29.]
“Do-it-Yourself Justice”
Authors: Rizza Caroline , Pereira Ângela Guimarães , Curvelo Paula
Published: May 2015

In June 2011, during the ice hockey Stanley Cup, as the Vancouver Canucks were losing, riots started in downtown Vancouver. Social media were used to communicate between authorities and citizens, including the rioters. The media reporting on these events framed these communications within different narratives, which in turn raised ethical considerations. The authors identify and reflect upon ideas of justice, fairness, responsibility, accountability and integrity that arise in the media stories. In addition they investigate (1) the “institutional unpreparedness” of the Vancouver police department when receiving such quantity of material and dealing with new processes of inquiry such material requires; (2) the “unintended do-it-yourself-justice”: the shift from supporting crisis responders to social media vigilantes: citizens overruling authorities and enforcing justice on their own terms and by their own means through social media and; (3) the “unintended do-it-yourself-society” supported by the potential-of social media's use for prompting people to act.
Job characteristics, burnout and the relationship with recovery experiences
Authors: Els Crizelle , Mostert Karina , De Beer Leon T.
Published: May 2015

Orientation: Job characteristics (consisting of job demands and job resources) have an impact on burnout. However, it is unclear whether recovery strategies might influence this relationship amongst staff members at a tertiary education institution in South Africa.Research purpose: The primary objective of this study was to determine whether recovery strategies influence and moderate the relationship between job demands, job resources and burnout. Motivation for the study: Recovery strategies may influence and buffer the negative effects of job demands on burnout and may influence and enhance the positive influence of job resources on burnout. Research approach, design and method: Cross-sectional data was collected amongst employees at a tertiary education institution (N = 366).Main findings: The results of the structural equation modelling revealed significant positive relationships between work pressure, emotional demands and a lack of social support with burnout. Also, work pressure was related to all four recovery strategies and different job resources were associated with different recovery strategies. Finally, mastery experiences were the only recovery strategy that significantly predicted burnout. Practical/managerial implications: Employees are encouraged to engage in recovery strategies that will reduce their burnout levels, especially mastery experiences. Contribution/value-add: This study adds to the body of literature on effort recovery in South Africa. Very little empirical research has been done in South Africa regarding the use and benefits of different recovery strategies. Recommendations for future research are made.
Optimizing Differentiation Protocols for Producing Dopaminergic Neurons from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Robinson Meghan , Yau Suk-yu , Sun Lin , Gabers Nicole , Bibault Emma , Christie Brian R. , Willerth Stephanie M.
Published: May 2015

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results when the dopaminergic neurons (DNs) present in the substantia nigra necessary for voluntary motor control are depleted, making patients with this disorder ideal candidates for cell replacement therapy. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), obtained by reprogramming adult cells, possess the properties of pluripotency and immortality while enabling the possibility of patient-specific therapies. An effective cell therapy for PD requires an efficient, defined method of DN generation, as well as protection from the neuroinflammatory environment upon engraftment. Although similar in pluripotency to human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), hiPSCs differentiate less efficiently into neuronal subtypes. Previous work has shown that treatment with guggulsterone can efficiently differentiate hESCs into DNs. Our work shows that guggulsterone is able to derive DNs from hiPSCs with comparable efficiency, and furthermore, this differentiation can be achieved inside three-dimensional fibrin scaffolds that could enhance cell survival upon engraftment.
Prevalence and Predictors of Malnutrition in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: irungu Catherine Wanjiru , Oburra Herbert O. , Ochola Betha
Published: May 2015

We assessed the prevalence and predictors of malnutrition in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Sixty cases and 123 controls matched for age and gender were included. Bio-data, dietary history, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), ideal body weight, and serum albumin levels were recorded. Pretreatment weight loss of >5% was present in 35% of subjects (P < 0.0001). A BMI of < 18.5 kg/m2 was present in 13.3% (P < 0.001), percent ideal body weight of <90% was present in 30% (P < 0.001), and serum albumin levels < 30 g/dL was present in 23.3% (P < 0.001) of cases. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma increased the likelihood of having a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (odds ratio, 9.3 (3.4–25.3) P ≤ 0.001). Logistic regression shows that stage IV disease was associated with a decrease in all parameters except protein-calorie intake. Stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a predictive marker for weight loss and low serum albumin levels. Nutritional management is important for ensuring the patients’ ability to withstand chemoradiation and thus improve survival and quality of life.
Correlation of Atraumatic Pain with Acetabular Chondromalacia in Athletes
Authors: Holst David C , Stubbs Allston J , Mason Phillip R , Anx Adam , Perry Brad , Howse Elizabeth A
Published: May 2015

This study investigates the relationship of atraumatic, prearthritic hip pain to the severity of acetabular chondromalacia (CSI) documented at the time of hip arthroscopy in a group of athletes. Our hypothesis is that hip pain duration is positively correlated with acetabular cartilage damage. Forty-six consecutive patients with atraumatic, prearthritic hip pain underwent hip arthroscopy. The severity of chondral damage was compared to duration of symptoms, age, and Wiberg's lateral center edge angle. For the cohort of male patients, the Pearson's correlation coefficient was r = 0.43 for age (p = 0.049), r = 0.85 for pain duration (p < 0.001), and r = 0.13 for Wiberg angle (p = 0.573). These findings in the athletic, male cohort supports a positive correlation between duration of hip pain symptoms and degree of acetabular chondromalacia.

Holst DC, Stubbs AJ, Mason PR, Anx A, Perry B, Howse EA. Correlation of Atraumatic Pain with Acetabular Chondromalacia in Athletes. The Duke Orthop J 2015;5(1):25-27.
Surgical Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
Authors: Parekh Selene G , Easley Mark E , Adams Samuel B , Gross Christopher E
Published: May 2015

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) present a formidable treatment challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon. Historical cartilage repair strategies often result in the formation of fibro cartilage leading to suboptimal clinical results. With advances in regenerative medicine, modern surgical techniques are diverse and employ autograft, allograft and tissueengineered constructs for cartilage repair. Fresh and particulated juvenile allograft transplantation have become popular options in the United States. Worldwide, both cellular and acellular tissueengineered constructs are utilized. In all cases, there is still debate as to the optimal cell source and scaffold material and only short term clinical results are available. This article will review these current as well as experimental techniques for cartilage repair of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

Adams Jr SB, Gross CE, Tainter DM, Easley ME, Parekh SG. Surgical Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus. The Duke Orthop J 2015;5(1):3547.
What is the Diagnosis?
Authors: Crawford Mathew D , DVM William C Eward
Published: May 2015

Melorheostosis is a rare, benign connective tissue disorder affecting both bone and soft tissues. Its insidious and variable presentation makes it a challenging clinical diagnosis. We describe the case of a patient presenting with monomelic involvement including significant contractures of the left upper extremity. This case illustrates the functional morbidity associated with melorheostosis as well as its characteristic (i.e. radiographs with flowing hyperostosis) and more rare (i.e. local gigantism) findings.

Crawford MD, Eward WC. What is the Diagnosis? The Duke Orthop J 2015;5(1):70-72.
Long-term (2001–2012) concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the impact on human health in Beijing, China
Authors: Zheng S. , Pozzer A. , Cao C. X. , Lelieveld J.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. Beijing, the capital of China, is a densely populated city with poor air quality. The impact of high pollutant concentrations, in particular of aerosol particles, on human health is of major concern. The present study uses aerosol optical depth (AOD) as proxy to estimate long-term PM2.5 and subsequently estimates the premature mortality due to PM2.5. We use the AOD from 2001 to 2012 from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) site in Beijing and the ground-based PM2.5 observations from the US embassy in Beijing from 2010 to 2011 to establish a relationship between PM2.5 and AOD. By including the atmospheric boundary layer height and relative humidity in the comparative analysis, the correlation (R2) increases from 0.28 to 0.62. We evaluate 12 years of PM2.5 data for the Beijing central area using an estimated linear relationship with AOD and calculate the yearly premature mortality by different diseases attributable to PM2.5. The estimated average total mortality due to PM2.5 is about 5100 individuals per year for the period 2001–2012 in the Beijing central area, and for the period 2010–2012 the per capita mortality for all ages due to PM2.5 is around 15 per 10 000 person-years, which underscores the urgent need for air pollution abatement.
Photochemical aging of volatile organic compounds associated with oil and natural gas extraction in the Uintah Basin, UT, during a wintertime ozone formation event
Authors: Koss A. R. , de Gouw J. , Warneke C. , Gilman J. B. , Lerner B. M. , Graus M. , Yuan B. , Edwards P. , Brown S. S. , Wild R. , Roberts J. M. , Bates T. S. , Quinn P. K.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. High concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with oil and natural gas extraction were measured during a strong temperature inversion in the winter of 2013 at a rural site in the Uintah Basin, Utah. During this period, photochemistry enhanced by the stagnant meteorological conditions and concentrated VOCs led to high ozone mixing ratios (150 ppbv). A simple analysis of aromatic VOCs measured by proton-transfer-reaction mass-spectrometry (PTR-MS) is used to estimate (1) VOC emission ratios (the ratio of two VOCs at the time of emission) relative to benzene, (2) aromatic VOC emission rates, and (3) ambient OH radical concentrations. These quantities are determined from a best fit to VOC : benzene ratios as a function of time. The main findings are that (1) emission ratios are consistent with contributions from both oil and gas producing wells; (2) the emission rate of methane (27–57 × 103 kg methane h−1), extrapolated from the emission rate of benzene (4.1 ± 0.4 × 105 molecules cm−3 s−1), agrees with an independent estimate of methane emissions from aircraft measurements in 2012; and (3) calculated daily OH concentrations are low, peaking at 1 × 106 molecules cm−3, and are consistent with Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) modeling. The analysis is extended to photochemical production of oxygenated VOCs measured by PTR-MS and is able to explain daytime variability of these species. It is not able to completely reproduce nighttime behavior, possibly due to surface deposition. Using results from this analysis, the carbon mass of secondary compounds expected to have formed by the sixth day of the stagnation event was calculated, then compared to the measured mass of primary and secondary compounds. Only 17% of the expected secondary carbon mass is accounted for by gas phase, aerosol, and snow organic carbon measurements. The disparity is likely due to substantial amounts of unquantified oxygenated products.
Using the OMI aerosol index and absorption aerosol optical depth to evaluate the NASA MERRA Aerosol Reanalysis
Authors: Buchard V. , da Silva A. M. , Colarco P. R. , Darmenov A. , Randles C. A. , Govindaraju R. , Torres O. , Campbell J. , Spurr R.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. A radiative transfer interface has been developed to simulate the UV aerosol index (AI) from the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System version 5 (GEOS-5) aerosol assimilated fields. The purpose of this work is to use the AI and aerosol absorption optical depth (AAOD) derived from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) measurements as independent validation for the Modern Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications Aerosol Reanalysis (MERRAero). MERRAero is based on a version of the GEOS-5 model that is radiatively coupled to the Goddard Chemistry, Aerosol, Radiation, and Transport (GOCART) aerosol module and includes assimilation of aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor. Since AI is dependent on aerosol concentration, optical properties and altitude of the aerosol layer, we make use of complementary observations to fully diagnose the model, including AOD from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), aerosol retrievals from the AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) and attenuated backscatter coefficients from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) mission to ascertain potential misplacement of plume height by the model. By sampling dust, biomass burning and pollution events in 2007 we have compared model-produced AI and AAOD with the corresponding OMI products, identifying regions where the model representation of absorbing aerosols was deficient. As a result of this study over the Saharan dust region, we have obtained a new set of dust aerosol optical properties that retains consistency with the MODIS AOD data that were assimilated, while resulting in better agreement with aerosol absorption measurements from OMI. The analysis conducted over the southern African and South American biomass burning regions indicates that revising the spectrally dependent aerosol absorption properties in the near-UV region improves the modeled-observed AI comparisons. Finally, during a period where the Asian region was mainly dominated by anthropogenic aerosols, we have performed a qualitative analysis in which the specification of anthropogenic emissions in GEOS-5 is adjusted to provide insight into discrepancies observed in AI comparisons.
Diurnal variations of aerosol optical properties in the North China Plain and their influences on the estimates of direct aerosol radiative effect
Authors: Kuang Y. , Zhao C. S. , Tao J. C. , Ma N.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. In this paper, the diurnal variations of aerosol optical properties and their influences on the estimation of daily average direct aerosol radiative effect (DARE) in the North China Plain (NCP) are investigated based on in situ measurements from Haze in China campaign. For ambient aerosol, the diurnal patterns of single scattering albedo (SSA) and asymmetry factor (g) in the NCP are both highest at dawn and lowest in the late afternoon, and quite different from those of dry-state aerosol. The relative humidity (RH) is the dominant factor which determines the diurnal pattern of SSA and g for ambient aerosol. Basing on the calculated SSA and g, several cases are designed to investigate the impacts of the diurnal changes of aerosol optical properties on DARE. The results demonstrate that the diurnal changes of SSA and g in the NCP have significant influences on the estimation of DARE at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). If the full temporal coverage of aerosol optical depth (AOD), SSA and g are available, an accurate estimation of daily average DARE can be achieved by using the daily averages of AOD, SSA and g. However, due to the lack of full temporal coverage data sets of SSA and g, their daily averages are usually not available. Basing on the results of designed cases, if the RH plays a dominant role in the diurnal variations of SSA and g, we suggest that using both SSA and g averaged over early morning and late afternoon as inputs for radiative transfer model to improve the accurate estimation of DARE. If the temporal samplings of SSA or g are too few to adopt this method, either averaged over early morning or late afternoon of both SSA and g can be used to improve the estimation of DARE at the TOA.
Calculating the global contribution of coralline algae to carbon burial
Authors: van der Heijden L. H. , Kamenos N. A.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. The ongoing increase in anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is changing the global marine environment and is causing warming and acidification of the oceans. Reduction of CO2 to a sustainable level is required to avoid further marine change. Many studies investigate the potential of marine carbon sinks (e.g. seagrass) to mitigate anthropogenic emissions, however, information on storage by coralline algae and the beds they create is scant. Calcifying photosynthetic organisms, including coralline algae, can act as a CO2 sink via photosynthesis and CaCO3 dissolution and act as a CO2 source during respiration and CaCO3 production on short-term time scales. Long-term carbon storage potential might come from the accumulation of coralline algae deposits over geological time scales. Here, the carbon storage potential of coralline algae is assessed using meta-analysis of their global organic and inorganic carbon production and the processes involved in this metabolism. Organic and inorganic production were estimated at 330 g C m−2 yr−1 and 880 g CaCO3 m−2 yr−1 respectively giving global organic/inorganic C production of 0.7/1.8 × 109 t C yr−1. Calcium carbonate production by free-living/crustose coralline algae (CCA) corresponded to a sediment accretion of 70/450 mm kyr−1. Using this potential carbon storage by coralline algae, the global production of free-living algae/CCA was 0.4/1.2 × 109 t C yr−1 suggesting a total potential carbon sink of 1.6 × 109 t C yr−1. Coralline algae therefore have production rates similar to mangroves, saltmarshes and seagrasses representing an as yet unquantified but significant carbon store, however, further empirical investigations are needed to determine the dynamics and stability of that store.
A global empirical system for probabilistic seasonal climate prediction
Authors: Eden J. M. , van Oldenborgh G. J. , Hawkins E. , Suckling E. B.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. Preparing for episodes with risks of anomalous weather a month to a year ahead is an important challenge for governments, NGOs and companies and relies on the availability of reliable forecasts. The majority of operational seasonal forecasts are made using process-based dynamical models, which are complex, computationally challenging and prone to biases. Empirical forecast approaches built on statistical models to represent physical processes offer an alternative to dynamical systems and can provide either a benchmark for comparison or independent supplementary forecasts. Here, we present a simple empirical system based on multiple linear regression for producing probabilistic forecasts of seasonal surface air temperature and precipitation across the globe. The global CO2-equivalent concentration is taken as the primary predictor; subsequent predictors, including large-scale modes of variability in the climate system and local-scale information, are selected on the basis of their physical relationship with the predictand. The focus given to the climate change signal as a source of skill and the probabilistic nature of the forecasts produced constitute a novel approach to global empirical prediction. Hindcasts for the period 1961–2013 are validated using correlation and skill scores. Good skill is found in many regions, particularly for surface air temperature and most notably in much of Europe during the spring and summer seasons. For precipitation, skill is generally limited to regions with known ENSO teleconnections. The system is used in a quasi-operational framework to generate empirical seasonal forecasts on a monthly basis.
CryoSat-2 delivers monthly and inter-annual surface elevation change for Arctic ice caps
Authors: Gray L. , Burgess D. , Copland L. , Demuth M. N. , Dunse T. , Langley K. , Schuler T. V.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. We show that the CryoSat-2 radar altimeter can provide useful estimates of surface elevation change on a variety of Arctic ice caps, on both monthly and yearly time scales. Changing conditions, however, can lead to a varying bias between the elevation estimated from the radar altimeter and the physical surface due to changes in the contribution of subsurface to surface backscatter. Under melting conditions the radar returns are predominantly from the surface so that if surface melt is extensive across the ice cap estimates of summer elevation loss can be made with the frequent coverage provided by CryoSat-2. For example, the average summer elevation decreases on the Barnes Ice Cap, Baffin Island, Canada were 2.05 ± 0.36 m (2011), 2.55 ± 0.32 m (2012), 1.38 ± 0.40 m (2013) and 1.44 ± 0.37 m (2014), losses which were not balanced by the winter snow accumulation. As winter-to-winter conditions were similar, the net elevation losses were 1.0 ± 0.2 m (winter 2010/2011 to winter 2011/2012), 1.39 ± 0.2 m (2011/2012 to 2012/2013) and 0.36 ± 0.2 m (2012/2013 to 2013/2014); for a total surface elevation loss of 2.75 ± 0.2 m over this 3 year period. In contrast, the uncertainty in height change results from Devon Ice Cap, Canada, and Austfonna, Svalbard, can be up to twice as large because of the presence of firn and the possibility of a varying bias between the true surface and the detected elevation due to changing year-to-year conditions. Nevertheless, the surface elevation change estimates from CryoSat for both ice caps are consistent with field and meteorological measurements. For example, the average 3 year elevation difference for footprints within 100 m of a repeated surface GPS track on Austfonna differed from the GPS change by 0.18 m.