bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developers' devious digressions
Authors: Brattstrom Bayard H.
Published: October 2009

In spite of the many laws and regulations regarding the development of property and the protection of open space and wildlife, developers often try to get around compliance with the law using subtle, or not–so–subtle, tactics. In some cases, they violate the law because they know that there is little or no enforcement, or, if caught, they pay the fine and charge it up as a cost of doing business which is of course tax-deductible. Over the last few years I have been involved in a status study on two species of lizards of special concern (the Orange-throated Whiptail, Cnemidophorus hyperythrus and the Coastal Horned Lizard, Phrynosoma coronatum) for the California Department of Fish and Game. During this study, I noticed several of what I call ‘developers' devious digressions’. As a biologist and environmental consultant, I have seen, over the last few decades, developers use these same ways of getting around environmental laws in Arizona, Montana, Mexico, and Australia. I have placed these digressions, detours and non-conformities, with the law in the following several categories.
Nitrogen pollution in the European Union – origins and proposed solutions
Authors: van der Voet Ester , Kleijn René , de Haes Helias A. Udo
Published: October 2009

The European Union is faced with major environmental problems related to nitrogen (N) compounds. The origins of three such problems, the atmospheric deposition of N compounds, the leaching of nitrates to ground-water and the anthropogenic N-input to the North Sea, are investigated by means of a Substance Flow Analysis (SFA); the reference year is 1988. Although the problems occur at various scales and have varying direct causes, food production and consumption together are the main responsible sectors, and the production and import of fertilizer appear to be the major ultimate sources in all three cases. Measures to combat these problems have been agreed to in various international frameworks: the European Community, the International North Sea Conference and the Rhine States Conference. These measures include technical emission reduction for acidifying compounds resulting in a 30% emission reduction; extension of the sewage treatment network and application of denitrification with 50% effectiveness; and introduction of measures directed at efficiency increase and emission reduction in agricultural practice in 10% of the agricultural area. The recent changes in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are not expected to lead to significant changes in N flows. Assuming full implementation, an almost sufficient 45% reduction is expected for the anthropogenic nitrogen input into the North Sea. The atmospheric deposition of nitrogen compounds will be reduced by approximately 20%. The leaching of nitrates to the ground-water is expected to remain at the current level or even to increase a little. In all, these measures are conducive to solving, but do not satisfactorily solve, the three problems, mainly because the ultimate origins of the problems are not sufficiently influenced and measures therefore inevitably result in a shifting of problems.
The mercury problem and diets in the Brazilian Amazon: planning a solution
Authors: Eve Evaldice , Oliveira Evaldo F. , Eve Christopher
Published: October 2009

In order to determine whether mercury from distant goldmining affected health in the districts of lranduba and Barreirinha, Amazonas State, Brazil, mercury in the scalp hair of 101 peasants (39 males and 62 females) was determined by cold vapour atomic absorption. In both areas fish is the major source of dietary protein. The average hair mercury content was 38.6 ppm (1SD = 14.1) in Barreirinha, where the diet contains a high proportion of carnivorous fish, and 5.6 ppm (1SD = 3.1) in Iranduba, where the diet contains more herbivorous fish. The levels found in women's hair in Barreirinha are particularly critical in view of the evidence that peak maternal hair mercury levels above 70 ppm are associated with 30% of risk of neurological disorder in the offspring, and that 5% risk may be associated with a peak mercury level of 10–20 ppm in the maternal hair (WHO 1990).

The health of many people, and thus forest preservation, are threatened. An environmental monitoring and health programme is urgently needed for the Brazilian Amazon. Dietary assessment could be a useful indicator of the risk of mercury poisoning, if taken together with periodic analysis of mercury contents of commonly eaten fishes and of scalp hair, particularly that of young and pregnant women. Environmental monitoring is pointless if not directed at effective action; and a planning approach to this is suggested which includes a major educational component.
Human impact trend in Crete: the case of Psilorites Mountain
Authors: Lyrintzis George A.
Published: October 2009

An historical overview of human intervention in the natural environment of Crete is presented by considering trends in human population size as well as land-use records since the Neolithic period. Trends in human impacts over the last forty years are interpreted from available statistical data on human population, forests, rangelands, livestock and cultivated areas from 20 villages of the Psilorites Mountain area, central Crete. Depopulation occurred, mainly from 1961 to 1971, with migration to urban centres of Crete and abroad; this affected traditional land-use in the uplands and transformed the rural landscape. An increase of rangelands then occurred at the expense of forests, and human activities in agricultural lands intensified, through such as tree cultivation and irrigation. Livestock grazing has become a dominant activity on all wildlands with a dramatic increase in animal numbers (70.4% in sheep and 50.8% in goats recorded in 1992 as compared with 1981), attributable to European Union subsidies. This overstocking, coupled with frequent pastoral wildfires and uncontrolled grazing, has resulted in rapid changes of land-use systems and landscapes on Psilorites that now endanger the natural environment and resources.
Preferences and present demand for bushmeat in north Cameroon: some implications for wildlife conservation
Authors: Njiforti Hanson Langmia
Published: October 2009

Although bushmeat is known locally to be an important source of protein, large-scale patterns of demand are poorly defined. One area for which information is especially lacking is northern Cameroon, and this study therefore conducted a survey of 345 households in this region. Information sought from questionnaire interviews included the frequency of consumption, species preferences, and prices of bushmeat, together with people's perceptions of trends in the wildlife population involved. Bushmeat was estimated to represent c. 24% of the animal protein intake in the region and respondents generally preferred bushmeat to meat from domestic livestock. North African porcupine (Hystrix cristata) was the most preferred species, closely followed by guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), and Buffon's kob (Kobus kob). There was a tendency for the price of a kilogramme of bushmeat to decrease with the weight of the animal. A majority of the respondents said they perceived declines in some wild animal species within the last 10 years. For those who eat bushmeat one or more times a week, there was a tendency for villagers to eat more bushmeat than for people in towns. A number of measures should be taken, including wildlife farming and domestication and anti-poaching measures in national parks.
Nitrogen pollution in the European Union – an economy-environment confrontation
Authors: van der Voet Ester , Kleijn René , Udo de Haes Helias A.
Published: October 2009

The production and import of fertilizer have previously been identified as the major source of three separate European environmental problems related to nitrogen compounds. In order to obtain a picture of the changes in the anthropogenic nitrogen flows needed for a solution, the effectiveness of several more radical interventions is estimated using Substance Flow Analysis (SFA). A selection of rigorous technical measures is expected to reduce the atmospheric deposition of N compounds to a level that seems acceptable for the EU as a whole, and will reduce the anthropogenic input of N compounds into the North Sea well below the agreed level of 50% of the present load. The third problem, the pollution of groundwater with nitrates, would remain unsolved. Resolution of this last problem requires radical changes in the agricultural sector, reducing agricultural output substantially. Two directions are explored by assessing the impacts of the extremes: termination of industrial fertilizer use to combat the problems at the source, and abolition of the entire stock-breeding sector to increase agricultural efficiency radically. These changes do contribute to a solution of the groundwater problem, but imply either greater dependence on imported food, or a major change in food consumption patterns, from animal towards vegetable products. The current EU population and diet are incompatible with the absence of environmental problems. The question then arises, how does acceptance of the draconian measures required to solve such an environmental problem weigh up against acceptance of the fact of having to cope with contaminated groundwater?
Effects of cement-kiln dust pollution on the vegetation and seed-bank species diversity in the eastern desert of Egypt
Authors: Hegazy Ahmad K.
Published: October 2009

There is very little information on effects of particulate pollution from cement factories in the Middle East and northeastern Africa. Variations of natural vegetation, germinable soil seed bank and species diversity were therefore investigated amongst four study sites situated at different distances from the Suez Cement Company factory, south of Suez, Egypt. The composition of plant life-forms was similar in both vegetation and seed-bank communities, with only site-dependent differences in their proportional values. For the standing vegetation, chamaephytes attained the highest relative density and cover, while hemicryptophytes and geophytes exhibited the lowest values. Germinable soil seed bank of all life-forms tended to increase with distance from the cement-dust pollution source. Vegetation, seed rain and seed banks of hemicryptophytes and geophytes were the most affected by cement-kiln dust accumulation in the area. The ratios of seed-bank/seed-rain in all life-forms were less than unity, with a narrow range of variation amongst sites and species. The germinable seed bank was more affected by cement-kiln dust accumulation than the seed rain in all species and life-forms. The species diversity of perennial plants was greater than that of annuals, with values increasing as distance increased from the cement-dust pollution source. Diversity in the standing vegetation Was higher than that of the germinable seed bank. Differences in the standing vegetation and seed-bank reserves were observed in the different study sites. According to their response to cement-dust accumulation, the plant species (listed in text) in the study area were separated into four major groups: (1) tolerant species; (2) non-tolerant species; (3) species having intermediate tolerance; and (4) indifferent species. Management considerations for the conservation of vegetation in cement quarrying sites and around cement factories were put forward to optimize recovery and restoration of vegetation in sites polluted by cement dust.
Gauthier's ‘Linear City’
Authors: Cathcart Richard B.
Published: October 2009

Gilles Gauthier's (1995) treatment of ‘The Linear City’ was very incomplete, as he made no attempt to acknowledge even cursorily an obvious debt to earlier architects, especially those professionals who clearly predate Gauthier's thinking on the subject.

Sky & Stone (1976) devoted five text pages to exactly the same idea, namely the 1910 ‘Roadtown’ by Edgar Chambless, who died in 1936, and, more significantly, the 1964–66 ‘Linear City’ by Michael Graves. Like Gauthier, several architects have seemed to crystallize an attitude and an approach which, for better or worse, had been in the air for some time without them actually realizing it until they saw it so crystallized. ‘Roadtown’ was evidently to be a continuous, serpent-shaped building which would be self-extending because of the railroad enclosed within it. Both buildings, along with Gauthier's, are representative of ‘Megastructural Architecture’. The term ‘megastructure’ was first used for this kind of building in the vocabulary of ‘Urbatecture’ in approximately 1964. The latter was the visible Earth-crust superficial architecture, as opposed to LaNier's (1970) invisible subterranean architecture called ‘Geotecture’.
Between the forests and the trees – an emerging international forest law
Authors: Brunnée Jutta , Nollkaemper André
Published: October 2009

International forest law remains an undeveloped area of law. It consists of a multitude of treaties and non-treaty instruments dealing in a rather unprincipled and uncoordinated manner with such issues as biodiversity in forests; protection of forests as sinks of carbon dioxide; protection of endangered tree species; and trade in timber. However, in the face of mounting pressure on the world's tropical and other forests, in recent years there have been attempts to clarify and articulate the values and objectives underlying international forest policy that may induce a further development of the law.

A tension exists between the firmly-rooted claims of sovereignty over forests and the emerging, increasingly-accepted legal principles which could guide international forest law: the principles of common concern, inter-generational equity and precaution. This shift has begun to influence the development of international forest law in critical international initiatives, including the Biodiversity Convention, the Climate Change Convention and, particularly, through the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests. The various layers of dialogue which have emerged to address different aspects of the forest issue (including legal, trade, and ecological issues) promote a gradual convergence of expectations and interests and thus ultimately may further normative development. Despite the diversity of forests and forest concerns between regions and continents, there is an important role for a set of general legal principles, objectives and procedures defining the parameters and establishing the ground rules of global forest law.
Household energy and common lands in rural Haryana, India
Authors: Qureshi Mohammad Hashim , Kumar Suresh
Published: October 2009

Rural people in most of the developing countries are facing an acute shortage of domestic fuel which has led to many socio-economic and environmental problems. In an attempt to examine the nature and extent of the household energy problem, and to suggest certain measures to alleviate it, 432 sample households from eight sample villages in Haryana, north-western India, were surveyed using structured questionnaires during 1995. We find that there has been widespread switching over to low quality fuels (crop residue and dung cake), more time and effort are now spent in fetching fuelwood, biomass fuels have been monetized, and that severe degradation of vegetation cover has occurred. All these changes reflect the acute shortage of household energy in rural areas of Haryana State. It has almost become a crisis, particularly in the Eastern Haryana Region and in poor households. The common lands still provide a significant proportion of household fuel, especially to landless and marginal farming households. Hence, energy plantation on common lands is an immediate, feasible and sustainable solution to the rural energy problem. There is also an urgent need to prevent the wastage of energy by increasing end-use efficiency.
Community perceptions of the Cross River National Park, Nigeria
Authors: Ite Dr Uwem E.
Published: October 2009

National Parks have become the most widely-used category of protected areas in developing countries, including sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies have shown that local-community support for National Parks is based mainly on perceptions of benefits and costs against the background of social, cultural, political and economic considerations. This paper examines the experience in the Cross River National Park (CRNP) in southeast Nigeria using data collected through rapid rural appraisal techniques, household questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions and guided interviews. The results show that in spite of a high level of community awareness of the need to conserve the forests of the study area, there is a low level of local support for the CRNP forest conservation initiative. Four main factors are identified as the main influences on the support extended to the project, namely: reality and expectations of socio-economic development, the pace of project implementation, the relationship between park staff and communities, and the historical rights of local people to the forest of the study area. The implications of the findings relate to the long-term sustainability of the CRNP as a protected forest area.
The Musical Audubon: Ornithology and Nationalism in the Symphonies of Anthony Philip Heinrich
Authors: GIBBONS WILLIAM
Published: October 2009

Anthony Philip Heinrich's two symphonies on avian themes—The Ornithological Combat of Kings, or The Condor of the Andes and the Eagle of the Cordilleras(original version ca. 1835; final form 1857) andThe Columbiad, or Migration of American Wild Passenger Pigeons(ca. 1857)—have not been generally considered among his nationalistic works. Placing these works into historical context, however, makes the nationalism of their programmatic content clear. These symphonies reveal surprising connections in the U.S. consciousness between birds and national identity in the nineteenth-century United States. Through the examination of this music in the contexts of naturalist writers such as Alexander von Humboldt, Alexander Wilson, and John James Audubon, the last of whom was a close friend of Heinrich's, this article demonstrates the extent to which Heinrich's music tapped into the popularity of ornithology in the United States.
Neue Erkenntnisse zur Diagnostik und Management des Gestationsdiabetes
Authors: Lehmann Roger , Troendle  , Brändle
Published: October 2009

In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden die physiologischen Grundlagen und die derzeitige Studienlage dargelegt und erläutert, welche zu den neusten diagnostischen Kriterien und Blutzuckerzielwerten geführt haben. Die 6. internationale Workshop-Konferenz über Gestationsdiabetes in Pasadena (2008) hat aufgrund der HAPO-Daten neue diagnostische Kriterien festgelegt, welche am amerikanischen Diabeteskongress 2009 erstmals vorgestellt wurden. Es wird auf ein Screening verzichtet und bei allen schwangeren Frauen wird zwischen der 24. und 28. Schwangerschaftswoche ein 75 g oraler Glukosetoleranztest durchgeführt. Die neuen diagnostischen Werte sind den alten ADA-Werten sehr ähnlich, mit dem wichtigen Unterschied, dass nur noch ein von den drei Werten beim oGTT (und nicht ≥ 2) über dem Schwellenwert sein muss, um die Diagnose stellen zu können. Die Grenzwerte betragen für die Nüchtern Plasmaglukose ≥ 5.1 mM, für den 1-Stunden-Wert ≥ 10.0 mM und den 2-Stunden-Wert von ≥ 8.5 mM. Es ist daher damit zu rechnen, dass die Diagnose etwas häufiger gestellt werden wird, als mit den alten Kriterien. Viel schwieriger ist es, Blutzuckerzielwerte während der Schwangerschaft zu definieren. Dies wird dadurch unterstrichen, dass viele verschiedene Fachgruppen sich auf völlig verschiedene Zielwerte geeinigt haben. Wir schließen uns den Folgerungen der internationalen Diabetes Föderation (IDF) an, wonach – aufgrund des Fehlens von mehreren randomisierten Studien – die Grenzwerte immer etwas arbiträr sind, die Genauigkeit von Blutzucker-Selbstmessung relativ gering ist und, dass deshalb Grenzwerte aufgrund der vorhandenen Evidenz auf gut zu merkende Grenzwerte zu runden sind. Die SGED empfiehlt Nüchtern- und präprandiale Werte von < 5.3 mM und 1-Stunden postprandiale Werte von < 8.0 mM und 2-Stunden postprandiale Werte < 7.0 mM nach Ende des Essens. Im letzten Teil werden die therapeutischen Optionen besprochen. Falls die Zielwerte nicht erreicht werden, müssen ca. 25 % der Frauen mit Gestationsdiabetes medikamentös behandelt werden. Die Regel stellt immer noch die Insulintherapie dar, wobei aber die Studienlage bezüglich dem Einsatz von Metformin und Glibenclamid besprochen wird.
Sprachdiagnostik und Sprachtherapie
Authors: Petermann¹ Franz
Published: October 2009

Der Sprache kommt in der Entwicklung des Menschen eine zentrale Rolle zu. Naheliegenderweise wirken sich Sprachstörungen auf alle Bereiche der kognitiven, emotionalen und sozialen Entwicklung aus. Umschriebene Sprachentwicklungsstörungen treten bei ungefähr 7 % der Kinder auf, werden in der Regel zu spät erkannt und haben dann eine Vielzahl psychischer Störungen zur Folge. Durch eine differenzierte Sprachdiagnostik und eine frühe evidenzbasierte Sprachtherapie kann man dieser Problematik entgegenwirken; erste universell einsetzbare Präventionsprogramme werden diskutiert.
Sprachstandserhebungsverfahren für Fünf- bis Zehnjährige (SET 5 – 10)
Authors: Metz Dorothee , Petermann Franz
Published: October 2009

Der Erwerb der Sprache stellt eine der wesentlichen Entwicklungsherausforderungen der ersten Lebensjahre dar und steht in enger Wechselwirkung zu vielfältigen anderen Entwicklungs- und Leistungsbereichen. Epidemiologische Studien zeigen, dass kein anderer Entwicklungsbereich so häufig von Störungen betroffen ist wie der Sprachliche. Sprachstörungen sind oftmals mit gravierenden Folgen sowohl für die kognitive, speziell die schulische, als auch für die sozial-emotionale Entwicklung verbunden. Die Notwendigkeit einer Intervention bei Sprachentwicklungsstörungen ist unstrittig. Eine Indikationsstellung ist jedoch nur mit zuverlässigen diagnostischen Instrumenten möglich. Der SET 5 – 10 dient der aussagekräftigen Diagnostik des Sprachstands bei Fünf- bis Zehnjährigen. Die Konstruktionsstichprobe setzte sich aus 275 Kindern zusammen. Die Aufgabenanalyse ergab eine gute Verteilung der Schwierigkeitsindizes sowie zufriedenstellende Trennschärfe-Koeffizienten.
Kindergartenbasierte Förderung der phonologischen Bewusstheit „Lobo vom Globo“
Authors: Metz Dorothee , Petermann Franz
Published: October 2009

Das kindergartenbasierte Training „Lobo vom Globo“ zur Förderung der phonologischen Bewusstheit wird dargestellt. Es werden Kinder vor Schuleintritt gefördert, wobei sich die Maßnahme über einen Zeitraum von zwölf Wochen erstreckt. Die Bedeutung der phonologischen Bewusstheit für den Lese- und Schriftspracherwerb ist bereits umfangreich dokumentiert. Untersucht wird, ob und inwiefern Kinder von dem Training der phonologischen Bewusstheit profitieren. An der Studie nahmen insgesamt 191 Kinder teil, bei denen sowohl unmittelbar vor Beginn und nach Abschluss des Trainings die Fähigkeiten zur phonologischen Bewusstheit überprüft wurden (Interventionsgruppe: n = 94). Kinder der Fördergruppe erzielten nach Abschluss des Trainings in allen Untertests signifikant bessere Leistungen als Kinder der Kontrollgruppe.
Der SON-R 2½-7 in der klinischen Praxis
Authors: Renner Gerolf , Rausch Nathalie , Krampen Günter , Irblich Dieter
Published: October 2009

Informiert wird über empirische Untersuchungsbefunde zur Reliabilität und Validität des „Non-verbalen Intelligenztests“ (SON-R 2½-7), die auf den Einsatz des Verfahrens unter den Routinebedingungen der klinisch-psychologischen Diagnostik eines Sozialpädiatrischen Zentrums zurückgehen. Der SON-R 2½-7 wurde mit 380 Kindern im Alter von 3 bis 6 Jahren durchgeführt, die wegen Entwicklungs-, Verhaltens- oder emotionalen Störungen mit Beginn in der Kindheit (nach ICD-10) vorgestellt wurden. Bei weiteren 266 Kindern kam eine Kurzfassung mit vier Untertests (Mosaike, Kategorien, Analogien, Zeichenmuster) zum Einsatz. Neben den Vorstellungsgründen, ICD-10-Diagnosen und soziodemografischen Variablen wurden bei den Kindern die Ergebnisse weiterer Intelligenz- und Entwicklungstests erfasst (u. a. K-ABC, verbale Subtests des HAWIVA-III). Die Reliabilität des Gesamt-IQ erwies sich mit Werten von .91 – .95 (Langform) bzw. .89 – .94 (Kurzform) als gut bis sehr gut. Bei 101 Kindern wurde eine Wiederholungsmessung durchgeführt, die eine hohe Stabilität des Gesamt-IQ ergab. Die Untersuchung zeigt positive Befunde zur differenziellen Validität für klinische Subgruppen sowie zur diskriminanten und konvergenten Validität. Die faktorielle Validität der Binnenstruktur aus Handlungs- und Denkskala konnte in einer Faktorenanalyse empirisch nicht bestätigt werden.
Förderung sozial-emotionaler Kompetenzen im Grundschulalter
Authors: Petermann Franz
Published: October 2009

Das Verhaltenstraining in der Grundschule ist ein dreistufiges Programm zur Förderung emotionaler und sozialer Kompetenzen sowie der moralischen Entwicklung von Kindern im Alter von neun bis zwölf Jahren. Es wurde die Effektivität des Trainings ein Jahr nach Trainingsende an einer Stichprobe von N = 85 Kindern untersucht. Die Studie umfasste drei Erhebungen (Prätest, Posttest und 12-Monats-Follow-up), zu denen Lehrkräfte und Kinder in Trainings- und Kontrollgruppe befragt wurden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen signifikante Effekte des Verhaltenstrainings zum Follow-up: Eine Zunahme sozialer Kompetenzen sowie eine Abnahme sozial-emotionaler Probleme. Geschlechtsspezifische Effekte in Bezug auf Aggression und Viktimisierung weisen darauf hin, dass sich das Training besonders eignet, aggressives Verhalten bei Jungen zu reduzieren.
Out‐gassing of CO2 from Siberian Shelf seas by terrestrial organic matter decomposition
Authors: Anderson L. G. , Jutterström S. , Hjalmarsson S. , Wåhlström I. , Semiletov I. P.
Published: October 2009

The Siberian shelf seas cover large shallow areas that receive substantial amounts of river discharge. The river runoff contributes nutrients that promote marine primary production, but also dissolved and particulate organic matter. The coastal regions are built up of organic matter in permafrost that thaws and result in coastal erosion and addition of organic matter to the sea. Hence there are multiple sources of organic matter that through microbial decomposition result in high partial pressures of CO2 in the shelf seas. By evaluating data collected from the Laptev and East Siberian Seas in the summer of 2008 we compute an excess of DIC equal to 10 · 1012 g C that is expected to be outgassed to the atmosphere and suggest that this excess mainly is caused by terrestrial organic matter decomposition.
Laboratory simulation of fluid‐driven seismic sequences in shallow crustal conditions
Authors: Ying Wai‐lai , Benson Philip M. , Young R. Paul
Published: October 2009

We report new laboratory simulations of fluid‐induced seismicity on pre‐existing faults in sandstone. By introducing pore pressure oscillations, faults were activated or reactivated to generate seismic sequences. These sequences were analysed using a slip‐forecast model. Furthermore, field data from the Monticello reservoir was used to verify the model. Our results suggest that short‐term forecasting is reliant upon the final stages when crack communication begins, limiting reservoir‐induced seismicity (RIS) forecasting strategies to short periods. In addition, our laboratory data confirms the general accuracy and robustness of short‐term forecast techniques dealing with natural crack‐linkage processes, whether strain driven or fluid driven, ranging from volcanic hazard mitigation to episodic tremors and slips. Finally, oscillating pore pressure can prolong the period of fluid‐induced seismicity, and the aftershock decay rate is slower than that without oscillations.
ACRIM‐gap and total solar irradiance revisited: Is there a secular trend between 1986 and 1996?
Authors: Krivova N. A. , Solanki S. K. , Wenzler T.
Published: October 2009

A gap in the total solar irradiance (TSI) measurements between ACRIM‐1 and ACRIM‐2 led to the ongoing debate on the presence or not of a secular trend between the minima preceding cycles 22 (in 1986) and 23 (1996). It was recently proposed to use the SATIRE model of solar irradiance variations to bridge this gap. When doing this, it is important to use the appropriate SATIRE‐based reconstruction, which we do here, employing a reconstruction based on magnetograms. The accuracy of this model on months to years timescales is significantly higher than that of a model developed for long‐term reconstructions used by the ACRIM team for such an analysis. The constructed ‘mixed’ ACRIM — SATIRE composite shows no increase in the TSI from 1986 to 1996, in contrast to the ACRIM TSI composite.
Time distributions of solar energetic particle events: Are SEPEs really random?
Authors: Jiggens P. T. A. , Gabriel S. B.
Published: October 2009

Solar energetic particle events (SEPEs) can exhibit flux increases of several orders of magnitude over background levels and have always been considered to be random in nature in statistical models with no dependence of any one event on the occurrence of previous events. We examine whether this assumption of randomness in time is correct. Engineering modeling of SEPEs is important to enable reliable and efficient design of both Earth‐orbiting and interplanetary spacecraft and future manned missions to Mars and the Moon. All existing engineering models assume that the frequency of SEPEs follows a Poisson process. We present analysis of the event waiting times using alternative distributions described by Lévy and time‐dependent Poisson processes and compared these with the usual Poisson distribution. The results show significant deviation from a Poisson process and indicate that the underlying physical processes might be more closely related to a Lévy‐type process, suggesting that there is some inherent “memory” in the system. Inherent Poisson assumptions of stationarity and event independence are investigated, and it appears that they do not hold and can be dependent upon the event definition used. SEPEs appear to have some memory indicating that events are not completely random with activity levels varying even during solar active periods and are characterized by clusters of events. This could have significant ramifications for engineering models of the SEP environment, and it is recommended that current statistical engineering models of the SEP environment should be modified to incorporate long‐term event dependency and short‐term system memory.
Topside ionospheric effective scale heights (HT) derived with ROCSAT‐1 and ground‐based ionosonde observations at equatorial and midlatitude stations
Authors: Tulasi Ram S. , Su S.‐Y. , Liu C. H. , Reinisch B. W. , McKinnell Lee‐Anne
Published: October 2009

In this study we propose the assimilation of topside in situ electron density data from the Republic of China Satellite (ROCSAT‐1) along with the ionosonde measurements for accurate determination of topside ionospheric effective scale heights (HT) using an α‐Chapman function. The reconstructed topside electron density profiles using these scale heights exhibit an excellent similitude with Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar (ISR) profiles and are much better representations than the existing methods of Reinisch‐Huang method and/or the empirical International Reference Ionosphere–2007 model. The main advantage with this method is that it allows the precise determination of the effective scale height (HT) and the topside electron density profiles at a dense network of ionosonde/Digisonde stations where no ISR facilities are available. The demonstration of the method is applied by investigating the diurnal, seasonal, and solar activity variations of HT over the dip‐equatorial station Jicamarca and the midlatitude station Grahamstown. The diurnal variation of scale heights over Jicamarca consistently exhibits a morning time descent followed by a minimum around 0700–0800 LT and a pronounced maximum at noon during all the seasons of both high and moderate solar activity periods. Further, the scale heights exhibit a secondary maximum during the postsunset hours of equinoctial and summer months, whereas the postsunset peak is absent during the winter months. These typical features are further investigated using the topside ion properties obtained by ROCSAT‐1 as well as Sami2 is Another Model of the Ionosphere (SAMI2) model simulations. The results consistently indicate that the diurnal variation of the effective scale height (HT) does not closely follow the plasma temperature variation and at equatorial latitudes is largely controlled by the vertical E × B drift.
Magnetic and petrologic characterization of synthetic Martian basalts and implications for the surface magnetization of Mars
Authors: Bowles Julie A. , Hammer Julia E. , Brachfeld Stefanie A.
Published: October 2009

A suite of synthetic Martian basalts is generated with the objective of providing fundamental material properties data for use in modeling and interpretation of mission data. We systematically evaluate the effects of major element composition, oxygen fugacity (fO2), and cooling rate on phase chemistry and magnetic mineralogy, grain size, and intensity of remanent magnetization. The range of experimental compositions and fO2 are chosen to bracket the range expected in the Martian crust; our results should therefore span the range of possible mineralogies, textures, and magnetic properties in rapidly cooled Mars crustal materials. Two starting compositions are used for the sample synthesis: (1) an Fe‐rich, Al‐poor composition patterned after SNC basaltic meteorites and (2) a composition based on thermal emission spectrometer (TES) data with a much lower Fe/Al ratio. The resulting magnetic phase in samples generated at the quartz‐fayalite‐magnetite (QFM) buffer is a spinel‐structured oxide with varying amounts of Cr, Ti, Mg, and Al. Compositional differences depend on bulk composition, cooling rate, differences in crystallization sequence, and the kinetics of silicate mineral nucleation and growth. Oxide abundance and magnetic intensity are most strongly influenced by fO2, with more subtle composition and cooling rate effects. Moderately oxidizing QFM conditions result in an intense magnetization (2.3 × 10−5 Am2 kg−1 to 1.4 × 10−2 Am2 kg−1), especially in the meteorite‐derived basalts. However, an increase of magnetic grain size into the multidomain range (meteorite‐type) and/or low unblocking temperatures resulting from increased Cr substitution (TES‐type) may affect the long‐term stability of the remanence in QFM samples.
Electrical burst signature of pore‐scale displacements
Authors: Haas A. , Revil A.
Published: October 2009

Electric field bursts were passively observed when a nonwetting fluid displaced a wetting fluid in a porous material (drainage) as well as during imbibition experiments. A sandbox experiment was conducted to study these electrical disturbances using a network of very sensitive nonpolarizing electrodes located at the top surface of the tank. Drainage exhibited many more electrical bursts, with a higher magnitude, than imbibition. These events were only observed during drainage or imbibition, not prior to or after the water flowed inside the porous sandbox. We point out the possible relationship between the formation of Haines jumps and the occurrence of these electrical bursts. These bursts show a power law distribution during drainage with a power law exponent of about −1.7, in agreement with a previous published study using acoustic and hydroacoustic events. Imbibition does not display such a power law relationship.
Bacterial diversity and biogeography in deep-sea surface sediments of the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Schauer Regina , Bienhold Christina , Ramette Alban , Harder Jens
Published: October 2009

Microbial biogeographic patterns in the deep sea depend on the ability of microorganisms to disperse. One possible limitation to microbial dispersal may be the Walvis Ridge that separates the Antarctic Lower Circumpolar Deep Water from the North Atlantic Deep Water. We examined bacterial communities in three basins of the eastern South Atlantic Ocean to determine diversity and biogeography of bacterial communities in deep-sea surface sediments. The analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene clone libraries in each basin revealed a high diversity, representing 521 phylotypes with 98% identity in 1051 sequences. Phylotypes affiliated with Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria and Acidobacteria were present in all three basins. The distribution of these shared phylotypes seemed to be influenced neither by the Walvis Ridge nor by different deep water masses, suggesting a high dispersal capability, as also indicated by low distance–decay relationships. However, the total bacterial diversity showed significant differences between the basins, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences as well as on terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprints. Noticeably, both geographic distance and environmental heterogeneity influenced bacterial diversity at intermediate (10–3000 km) and large scales (>3000 km), indicating a complex interplay of local contemporary environmental effects and dispersal limitation.
Effects of Exercise on Mobility in Obese and Nonobese Older Adults
Authors: Manini Todd M. , Newman Anne B. , Fielding Roger , Blair Steven N. , Perri Michael G. , Anton Stephen D. , Goodpaster Bret C. , Katula Jeff A. , Rejeski Walter J. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Hsu Fang‐Chi , Pahor Marco ,   The LIFE Research Group
Published: October 2009

Coupled with an aging society, the rising obesity prevalence is likely to increase the future burden of physical disability. We set out to determine whether obesity modified the effects of a physical activity (PA) intervention designed to prevent mobility disability in older adults. Older adults at risk for disability (N = 424, age range: 70–88 years) were randomized to a 12 month PA intervention involving moderate intensity aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility exercise (150 min per week) or a successful aging (SA) intervention involving weekly educational workshops. Individuals were stratified by obesity using a BMI ≥30 (n = 179). Mobility function was assessed as usual walking speed over 400 m and scores on a short physical performance battery (SPPB), which includes short distance walking, balance tests, and chair rises. Over 12 months of supervised training, the attendance and total amount of walking time was similar between obese and nonobese subjects and no weight change was observed. Nonobese participants in the PA group had significant increases in 400‐m walking speed (+1.5%), whereas their counterparts in the SA group declined (−4.3%). In contrast, obese individuals declined regardless of their assigned intervention group (PA: −3.1%; SA: −4.9%). SPPB scores, however, increased following PA in both obese (PA: +13.5%; SA: +2.5%) and nonobese older adults (PA: +18.6%; SA: +6.1%). A moderate intensity PA intervention improves physical function in older adults, but the positive benefits are attenuated with obesity.
Induction of Uncoupling Protein‐1 in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast‐derived Adipocytes by Retinoic Acid
Authors: Mercader Josep , Palou Andreu , Bonet M. Luisa
Published: October 2009

The uncoupling protein‐1 (UCP1) is the molecular effector of thermogenesis in brown adipocytes, a process in which there is a renewed interest after the recent recognition of its relevance in adult humans. Typical white adipocytes do not express UCP1. We investigated the capacity of retinoic acid (RA), the carboxylic acid form of vitamin A and a known positive regulator of UCP1 gene transcription in brown adipocytes, to stimulate UCP1 expression in adipocytes differentiated in culture from primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), which are commonly used as white adipocyte model cells. Exposure to all‐trans RA (ATRA), but not to rosiglitazone or isoproterenol, potently induced UCP1 expression at both the mRNA and protein level in MEF‐derived adipocytes, in a dose‐dependent manner. The effect on UCP1 mRNA was reproduced by retinoid receptor agonists and by retinaldehyde, required p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase activity (p38 MAPK), and appeared to be dissociated from increases in mitochondria biogenesis and oxidative capacity. MEF‐derived adipocytes exhibited a high mRNA expression level of the brown fat determination factor PRDM16. The results highlight a specific potential of retinoids to induce UCP1 gene expression in adipose cells, and may have implications for the elucidation of the signaling pathways to the UCP1 gene, as well as for research using MEF‐derived adipocytes.
Early Postnatal BMI Adaptation Is Regulated During a Fixed Time Period and Mainly Depends on Maternal BMI
Authors: Brune Bettina C. , Gerlach Maria K. , Seewald Markus J. , Brune Thomas G.
Published: October 2009

In the present study, we investigated whether there are critical time periods which influence the course of BMI during the first 6 years of life. From 5,433 children who participated in preschool examinations those 212 children were selected who crossed the BMI percentiles as a result of an extreme postnatal BMI rise (from <10th to 90th percentile) or fall (from >90th to <10th percentile) or who have persistently low or high BMI both at birth and at the age of 6 years. Forty children with a BMI close to the 50th percentile both at birth and age 6 years were selected to serve as controls. The courses of weight and height during the first 6 years of age were assessed and BMI was calculated. To identify influences connected with BMI development, we investigated genetic, social, nutritional, and other factors proceeding from the mother during pregnancy. Finally completed data sets of 57 children were available. Our study shows that during two critical time periods a significant move toward low or high BMI takes place among the groups: in early infancy from ∼0.5 to 1.5 years and again from 5 to 6 years. At the age of 1.5 years the final state of BMI is already fixed in all study groups. Mothers of overweight 6‐year‐old children are overweight, whereas mothers of underweight 6‐year‐old children have a below‐normal BMI. All other investigated factors only had a minor influence on postnatal BMI development. We conclude that postnatal BMI development follows a fixed genetic program and is mainly programmed by maternal metabolism.
Lifestyle Intervention Favorably Affects Weight Loss and Maintenance Following Obesity Surgery
Authors: Papalazarou Anastasios , Yannakoulia Mary , Kavouras Stavros A. , Komesidou Vasiliki , Dimitriadis George , Papakonstantinou Alexandros , Sidossis Labros S.
Published: October 2009

The present study was designed to evaluate the 3 year effects of a lifestyle intervention on weight loss and maintenance, dietary, and physical activity habits and eating behavior of patients following vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG). Thirty severely obese female volunteers were included in the study and they were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: usual care (UC) or lifestyle intervention (LS) group. Patients were followed for 3 years postoperatively. Outcome measures included weight loss, dietary habits, physical activity level (PAL), and eating behavior changes. Weight was significantly lower in the LS group after 12 months (84.4 ± 3.9 kg vs. 98.4 ± 4.4 kg, P < 0.05), 24 months (83.0 ± 3.3 vs. 101.9 ± 5.3 kg, P < 0.05), and 36 months following surgery (84.2 ± 3.3 vs. 102.5 ± 3.5 kg, P < 0.05). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between the two groups overall and at specific time points for the PAL and TV viewing. With regard to eating behavior, the LS group scored significantly better in total Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), Restraint Eating and External Eating scales at all postoperative time points. Similarly, significant differences were found between the two groups in dietary intake. These findings outline the importance of lifestyle intervention on weight loss and maintenance following bariatric surgery. The favorable effects of lifestyle intervention may be through adoption of healthier eating behaviors and increased physical activity.
Measuring Weight Self‐stigma: The Weight Self‐stigma Questionnaire
Authors: Lillis Jason , Luoma Jason B. , Levin Michael E. , Hayes Steven C.
Published: October 2009

Stigma associated with being overweight or obese is widespread. Given that weight loss is difficult to achieve and maintain, researchers have been calling for interventions that reduce the impact of weight stigma on life functioning. Sound measures that are sensitive to change are needed to help guide and inform intervention studies. This study presents the weight self‐stigma questionnaire (WSSQ). The WSSQ has 12 items and is designed for use only with populations of overweight or obese persons. Two samples of participants—one treatment seeking, one nontreatment seeking—were used for validation (N = 169). Results indicate that the WSSQ has good reliability and validity, and contains two distinct subscales—self‐devaluation and fear of enacted stigma. The WSSQ could be useful for identifying individuals who may benefit from a stigma reduction intervention and may also help evaluate programs designed to reduce stigma.
Fas/CD95 down-regulation in lymphoma cells through acquired alkyllysophospholipid resistance: partial role of associated sphingomyelin deficiency
Authors: van Blitterswijk Wim J. , Klarenbeek Jeffrey B. , van der Luit Arnold H. , Alderliesten Maaike C. , van Lummel Menno , Verheij Marcel
Published: October 2009

The ALP (alkyl-lysophospholipid) edelfosine (1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine) induces apoptosis in S49 mouse lymphoma cells. A variant cell line, S49AR, made resistant to ALP, was found previously to be impaired in ALP uptake via lipid-raft-mediated endocytosis. In the present paper, we report that these cells display cross-resistance to Fas/CD95 ligation [FasL (Fas ligand)], and can be gradually resensitized by prolonged culturing in the absence of ALP. Fas and ALP activate distinct apoptotic pathways, since ALP-induced apoptosis was not abrogated by dominant-negative FADD (Fas-associated protein with death domain), cFLIPL [cellular FLICE (FADD-like interleukin 1β-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein long form] or the caspase 8 inhibitor Z-IETD-FMK (benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu-Thr-Asp-fluoromethylketone). ALP-resistant cells showed decreased Fas expression, at both the mRNA and protein levels, in a proteasome-dependent fashion. The proteasome inhibitor MG132 partially restored Fas expression and resensitized the cells to FasL, but not to ALP. Resistant cells completely lacked SM (sphingomyelin) synthesis, which seems to be a unique feature of the S49 cell system, having very low SM levels in parental cells. Lack of SM synthesis did not affect cell growth in serum-containing medium, but retarded growth under serum-free (SM-free) conditions. SM deficiency determined in part the resistance to ALP and FasL. Exogenous short-chain (C12-) SM partially restored cell-surface expression of Fas in lipid rafts and FasL sensitivity, but did not affect Fas mRNA levels or ALP sensitivity. We conclude that the acquired resistance of S49 cells to ALP is associated with down-regulated SM synthesis and Fas gene transcription and that SM in lipid rafts stabilizes Fas expression at the cell surface.