bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating calibration strategies for isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy for atmospheric 13CO2 / 12CO2 measurement
Authors: Wen X.-F. , Meng Y. , Zhang X.-Y. , Sun X.-M. , Lee X.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy (IRIS) provides an in situ technique for measuring δ13C in atmospheric CO2. A number of methods have been proposed for calibrating the IRIS measurements, but few studies have systematically evaluated their accuracy for atmospheric applications. In this study, we carried out laboratory and ambient measurements with two commercial IRIS analyzers and compared the accuracy of four calibration strategies. We found that calibration based on the 12C and 13C mixing ratios (Bowling et al., 2003) and on linear interpolation of the measured delta using the mixing ratio of the major isotopologue (Lee et al., 2005) yielded accuracy better than 0.06‰. Over a 7-day atmospheric measurement in Beijing, the two analyzers agreed to within −0.02 ± 0.18‰ after proper calibration. However, even after calibration the difference between the two analyzers showed a slight correlation with concentration, and this concentration dependence propagated through the Keeling analysis, resulting in a much larger difference of 2.44‰ for the Keeling intercept. The high sensitivity of the Keeling analysis to the concentration dependence underscores the challenge of IRIS for atmospheric research.
Polarization data from SCIAMACHY limb backscatter observations compared to vector radiative transfer model simulations
Authors: Liebing P. , Bramstedt K. , Noël S. , Rozanov V. , Bovensmann H. , Burrows J. P.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. SCIAMACHY is a passive imaging spectrometer onboard ENVISAT designed to obtain trace gas abundances from measured radiances and irradiances in the UV to SWIR range in nadir-, limb- and occultation-viewing modes. Its grating spectrometer introduces a substantial sensitivity to the polarization of the incoming light with nonnegligible effects on the radiometric calibration. To be able to correct for the polarization sensitivity, SCIAMACHY utilizes broadband Polarization Measurement Devices (PMDs). While for the nadir-viewing mode the measured atmospheric polarization has been validated against POLDER data (Tilstra and Stammes, 2007, 2010), a similar validation study regarding the limb-viewing mode has not yet been performed. This paper aims at an assessment of the quality of the SCIAMACHY limb polarization data. Since limb polarization measurements by other air/spaceborne instruments in the spectral range of SCIAMACHY are not available, a comparison with radiative transfer simulations by SCIATRAN V3.1 (Rozanov et al., 2013) using a wide range of atmospheric parameters is performed. SCIATRAN is a vector radiative transfer model (VRTM) capable of performing calculations of the multiply scattered radiance in a spherically symmetric atmosphere. The study shows that the limb polarization data exhibit a large time-dependent bias that decreases with wavelength. Possible reasons for this bias are a still unknown combination of insufficient accuracy or inconsistencies of the on-ground calibration data, scan mirror degradation and stress induced changes of the polarization response of components inside the optical bench of the instrument. It is shown that it should in principle be feasible to recalibrate the effective polarization sensitivity of the instrument using the in-flight data and VRTM simulations.
Mixing layer height retrievals by multichannel microwave radiometer observations
Authors: Cimini D. , De Angelis F. , Dupont J.-C. , Pal S. , Haeffelin M.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. The mixing layer height (MLH) is a key parameter for boundary layer studies, including meteorology, air quality, and climate. MLH estimates are inferred from in situ radiosonde measurements or remote sensing observations from instruments like lidar, wind profiling radar, or sodar. Methods used to estimate MLH from radiosonde profiles are also used with atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles retrieved by microwave radiometers (MWR). This paper proposes an alternative approach to estimate MLH from MWR data, based on direct observations (brightness temperatures, Tb) instead of retrieved profiles. To our knowledge, MLH estimates directly from Tb observations has never been attempted before. The method consists of a multivariate linear regression trained with an a priori set of collocated MWR Tb observations (multi-frequency and multi-angle) and MLH estimates from a state-of-the-art lidar system. Results show that the method is able to follow both the diurnal cycle and the day-to-day variability as suggested by the lidar measurements, and also it can detect low MLH values that are below the full overlap limit (~ 200 m) of the lidar system used. Statistics of the comparison between MWR- and reference lidar-based MLH retrievals show mean difference within 10 m, RMS within 340 m, and correlation coefficient higher than 0.77. Monthly mean analysis for day-time MLH from MWR, lidar, and radiosonde shows consistent seasonal variability, peaking at ~ 1200–1400 m in June and decreasing down to ~ 600 m in October. Conversely, night-time monthly mean MLH from all methods are within 300–500 m without any significant seasonal variability. The proposed method provides results that are more consistent with radiosonde estimates than MLH estimates from MWR retrieved profiles. MLH monthly mean values agree well within 1 std with bulk Richardson number method applied at radiosonde profiles at 11:00 and 23:00 UTC. The method described herewith operates continuously and it is expected to work with analogous performances for the entire diurnal cycle, except during considerable precipitation, demonstrating new potential for atmospheric observation by ground-based microwave radiometry.
Simulation of the influence of historical land cover changes on the global climate
Authors: Wang Y. , Yan X. , Wang Z.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. In order to estimate biogeophysical effects of historical land cover change on climate during last three centuries, a set of experiments with a climate system model of intermediate complexity (MPM-2) is performed. In response to historical deforestation, the model simulates a decrease in annual mean global temperature in the range of 0.07–0.14 °C based on different grassland albedos. The effect of land cover changes is most pronounced in the middle northern latitudes with maximum cooling reaching approximately 0.6 °C during northern summer. The cooling reaches 0.57 °C during northern spring owing to the large effects of land surface albedo. These results suggest that land cover forcing is important for study on historical climate change and that more research is necessary in the assessment of land management options for climate change mitigation.
Nutrient dynamics in tropical rivers, estuarine-lagoons, and coastal ecosystems along the eastern Hainan Island
Authors: Li R. H. , Liu S. M. , Li Y. W. , Zhang G. L. , Ren J. L. , Zhang J.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Nutrient dynamics were studied along the eastern Hainan Island based on field observations during 2006–2009, to understand nutrient biogeochemical processes and to have an overview of human perturbations on coastal ecosystems in this tropical region. The concentrations of nutrients in the rivers had seasonal variations enriched with dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). High riverine concentrations of nitrate were mainly originated from agricultural fertilizer input. The ratios of DIN : PO43− ranged from 37 to 1063, suggesting preferential PO43− relative to nitrogen in the rivers. The areal yields of dissolved silicate (DSi) varied from 76 to 448 × 103 mol km−2 yr−1 due to erosion over the drainage area, inducing high levels of DSi among worldwide tropical systems. Aquaculture ponds contained high concentrations of NH4+ (up to 157 μM) and DON (up to 130 μM). Particulate phosphorus concentrations (0.5 ∼1.4 μM) were in lower level comparied with estuaries around the world. Particulate silicate levels in rivers and lagoons were lower than global average level. Nutrient biogeochemistry in coastal areas were affected by human activities (e.g. aquaculture, agriculture), as well as natural events such as typhoon. Nutrient concentrations were low because open sea water dispersed land-derived nutrients. Nutrient budgets were built based on a steady-state box model, which showed that riverine fluxes would be magnified by estuarine processes (e.g. regeneration, desorption) in the Wenchanghe/Wenjiaohe Estuary, Wanquan River estuary, and the Laoyehai Lagoon except in the Xiaohai Lagoon. Riverine and groundwater input were the major sources of nutrients to the Xiaohai Lagoon and the Laiyehai Lagoon, respectively. Riverine input and aquaculture effluent were the major sources of nutrients to the eastern coastal of Hainan Island. Nutrient inputs to the coastal ecosystem can be increased by typhoon-induced runoff of rainwater, and phytoplankton bloom in the sea would be caused.
Cyanobacterial and microcystins dynamics following the application of hydrogen peroxide to waste stabilisation ponds
Authors: Barrington D. J. , Ghadouani A. , Ivey G. N.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins are a risk to human and ecological health, and a hindrance to biological wastewater treatment. This study investigated the use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for the removal of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins from within waste stabilization ponds (WSPs). The daily dynamics of cyanobacteria and microcystins (commonly occurring cyanotoxins) were examined following the addition of H2O2 to wastewater within both the laboratory and at the full scale within a maturation WSP, the final pond in a wastewater treatment plant. Hydrogen peroxide treatment at concentrations ≥ 0.1 mg H2O2 μg−1 total phytoplankton chlorophyll a led to the lysis of cyanobacteria, in turn releasing intracellular microcystins to the dissolved state. In the full-scale trial, dissolved microcystins were then degraded to negligible concentrations by H2O2 and environmental processes within five days. A shift in the phytoplankton assemblage towards beneficial Chlorophyta species was also observed within days of H2O2 addition. However, within weeks, the Chlorophyta population was significantly reduced by the re-establishment of toxic cyanobacterial species. This re-establishment was likely due to the inflow of cyanobacteria from ponds earlier in the treatment train, suggesting that whilst H2O2 may be a suitable short-term management technique, it must be coupled with control over inflows if it is to improve WSP performance in the longer term.
A statistics-based temporal filter algorithm to map spatiotemporally continuous shortwave albedo from MODIS data
Authors: Liu N. F. , Liu Q. , Wang L. Z. , Liang S. L. , Wen J. G. , Qu Y. , Liu S. H.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Land-surface albedo plays a critical role in the earth's radiant energy budget studies. Satellite remote sensing provides an effective approach to acquire regional and global albedo observations. Owing to cloud coverage, seasonal snow and sensor malfunctions, spatiotemporally continuous albedo datasets are often inaccessible. The Global LAnd Surface Satellite (GLASS) project aims at providing a suite of key land surface parameter datasets with high temporal resolution and high accuracy for a global change study. The GLASS preliminary albedo datasets are global daily land-surface albedo generated by an angular bin algorithm (Qu et al., 2013). Like other products, the GLASS preliminary albedo datasets are affected by large areas of missing data; beside, sharp fluctuations exist in the time series of the GLASS preliminary albedo due to data noise and algorithm uncertainties. Based on the Bayesian theory, a statistics-based temporal filter (STF) algorithm is proposed in this paper to fill data gaps, smooth albedo time series, and generate the GLASS final albedo product. The results of the STF algorithm are smooth and gapless albedo time series, with uncertainty estimations. The performance of the STF method was tested on one tile (H25V05) and three ground stations. Results show that the STF method has greatly improved the integrity and smoothness of the GLASS final albedo product. Seasonal trends in albedo are well depicted by the GLASS final albedo product. Compared with MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) product, the GLASS final albedo product has a higher temporal resolution and more competence in capturing the surface albedo variations. It is recommended that the quality flag should be always checked before using the GLASS final albedo product.
Predictability of Western Himalayan river flow: melt seasonal inflow into Bhakra Reservoir in northern India
Authors: Pal I. , Lall U. , Robertson A. W. , Cane M. A. , Bansal R.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Snowmelt-dominated streamflow of the Western Himalayan rivers is an important water resource during the dry pre-monsoon spring months to meet the irrigation and hydropower needs in northern India. Here we study the seasonal prediction of melt-dominated total inflow into the Bhakra Dam in northern India based on statistical relationships with meteorological variables during the preceding winter. Total inflow into the Bhakra Dam includes the Satluj River flow together with a flow diversion from its tributary, the Beas River. Both are tributaries of the Indus River that originate from the Western Himalayas, which is an under-studied region. Average measured winter snow volume at the upper-elevation stations and corresponding lower-elevation rainfall and temperature of the Satluj River basin were considered as empirical predictors. Akaike information criteria (AIC) and Bayesian information criteria (BIC) were used to select the best subset of inputs from all the possible combinations of predictors for a multiple linear regression framework. To test for potential issues arising due to multicollinearity of the predictor variables, cross-validated prediction skills of the best subset were also compared with the prediction skills of principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) techniques, which yielded broadly similar results. As a whole, the forecasts of the melt season at the end of winter and as the melt season commences were shown to have potential skill for guiding the development of stochastic optimization models to manage the trade-off between irrigation and hydropower releases versus flood control during the annual fill cycle of the Bhakra Reservoir, a major energy and irrigation source in the region.
A new method to measure bowen ratios using high resolution vertical dry and wet bulb temperature profiles
Authors: Euser T. , Luxemburg W. , Everson C. , Mengistu M. , Clulow A. , Bastiaanssen W.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. The Bowen ratio surface energy balance method is a relatively simple method to determine the latent heat flux and the actual land surface evaporation. Despite its simplicity, the Bowen ratio method is generally considered to be unreliable due to the use of two-level sensors that are installed by default in operational Bowen ratio systems. In this paper we present the concept of a new measurement methodology to estimate the Bowen ratio from high resolution vertical dry and wet bulb temperature profiles. A short field experiment with Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) in a fibre optic cable having 13 levels was undertaken. A dry and a wetted section of a fibre optic cable were suspended on a 6 m high tower installed over a sugar beet trial near Pietermaritzburg (South Africa). Using the DTS cable as a psychrometer, a near continuous observation of vapour pressure and temperature at 0.20 m intervals was established. These data allows the computation of the Bowen ratio with a high precision. By linking the Bowen ratio to net radiation and soil heat flux, the daytime latent heat flux was estimated. The latent heat flux derived from DTS-based Bowen ratio (BR-DTS) showed consistent agreement (correlation coefficients between 0.97 and 0.98) with results derived from eddy covariance, surface layer scintillometer and surface renewal techniques. The latent heat from BR-DTS overestimated the latent heat derived with the eddy covariance by 4% and the latent heat derived with the surface layer scintillometer by 8%. Through this research, a new window is opened to engage on simplified, inexpensive and easy to interpret in situ measurement techniques for measuring evaporation.
Socio-hydrologic drivers of the Pendulum Swing between agriculture development and environmental health: a case study from Murrumbidgee River Basin, Australia
Authors: Kandasamy J. , Sounthararajah D. , Sivabalan P. , Chanan A. , Vigneswaran S. , Sivapalan M.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. This paper presents a case study centered on the Murrumbidgee river basin in eastern Australia that illustrates the dynamics of the balance between water extraction and use for food production and efforts to mitigate and reverse consequent degradation of the riparian environment. In particular the paper traces the history of a pendulum swing between an exclusive focus on agricultural development and food production in the initial stages and its attendant socio-economic benefits, followed by the gradual realization of the adverse environmental impacts, efforts to mitigate these with the use of remedial measures, and ultimately concerted efforts and externally imposed solutions to restore environmental health and ecosystem services. The 100 yr history of development within Murrumbidgee is divided into four eras, each underpinned by the dominance of different norms/goals and turning points characterized by their changes. The various stages of development can be characterized by the dominance, in turn, of infrastructure systems, policy frameworks, economic instruments, and technological solutions. The paper argues that, to avoid these costly pendulum swings, management needs to be underpinned by long-term coupled socio-hydrologic system models that explicitly include the two-way coupling between human and hydrological systems, including evolution of human values/norms relating to water and the environment. Such coupled human-water system models can provide insights into dominant controls of the trajectory of their co-evolution in a given system, and can also be used to interpret patterns of co-evolution of such coupled systems in different places across gradients of climatic, socio-economic and socio-cultural conditions, and in this way to help develop generalizable understanding.
How much does participatory flood management contribute to stakeholders' social capacity building? Empirical findings based on a triangulation of three evaluation approaches
Authors: Buchecker M. , Menzel S. , Home R.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Recent literature suggests that dialogic forms of risk communication are more effective to build stakeholders' hazard-related social capacities. In spite of the high theoretical expectations, there is a lack of univocal empirical evidence on the relevance of these effects. This is mainly due to the methodological limitations of the existing evaluation approaches. In our paper we aim at eliciting the contribution of participatory river revitalisation projects on stakeholders' social capacity building by triangulating the findings of three evaluation studies that were based on different approaches: a field-experimental, a qualitative long-term ex-post and a cross-sectional household survey approach. The results revealed that social learning and avoiding the loss of trust were more relevant benefits of participatory flood management than acceptance building. The results suggest that stakeholder involvements should be more explicitly designed as tools for long-term social learning.
Mesoscale numerical analysis of the historical November 1982 heavy precipitation event over Andorra (Eastern Pyrenees)
Authors: Trapero L. , Bech J. , Duffourg F. , Esteban P. , Lorente J.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. From 6 to 8 November 1982 was recorded one of the most catastrophic flash-flood events in the Eastern Pyrenees affecting Andorra and also France and Spain with rainfall accumulations exceeding 400 mm in 24 h, 44 fatal victims and widespread damage. This paper aims to document exhaustively this heavy precipitation event and examines mesoscale simulations performed by the French Meso-NH non-hydrostatic atmospheric model. Large scale simulations show the slow-evolving synoptic environment favourable for the development of a deep Atlantic cyclone which induced a strong southerly flow over the Eastern Pyrenees. From the evolution of the synoptic pattern four distinct phases have been identified during the event. The mesoscale analysis presents the second and the third phase as the most intense in terms of rainfall accumulations and highlights the interaction of the moist and conditionally unstable flows with the mountains. The presence of a SW low level jet (30 m s−1) around 1500 m also had a crucial role on focusing the precipitation over the exposed south slopes of the Eastern Pyrenees. Backward trajectories based on Eulerian on-line passive tracers indicate that the orographic uplift was the main forcing mechanism which triggered and maintained the precipitating systems more than 30 h over the Pyrenees. The moisture of the feeding flow mainly came from the Atlantic Ocean (7–9 g kg−1) and the role of the Mediterranean as a local moisture source was very limited (2–3 g kg−1) due to the high initial water vapour content of the parcels and the rapid passage over the basin along the Spanish Mediterranean coast (less than 12 h).
Solving Richards Equation for snow improves snowpack meltwater runoff estimations
Authors: Wever N. , Fierz C. , Mitterer C. , Hirashima H. , Lehning M.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. The runoff from the snow cover during spring snow melt or rain-on-snow events is an important factor in the hydrological cycle. In this study, water transport schemes for a 1-dimensional physical based snowpack model are compared to 14 yr of lysimeter measurements at a high alpine site. The schemes include a simple bucket-type approach, an approximation of Richards Equation (RE), and the full RE. The results show that daily sums of runoff are strongly related to a positive energy balance of the snow cover and therefore, all water transport schemes show very similar performance in terms of Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) coefficients (around 0.59) and r2 values (around 0.77). Timing of the arrival of meltwater in spring at the bottom of the snowpack showed differences between the schemes, where especially in the bucket-type and approximated RE approach, meltwater release is slower than in the measurements. Overall, solving RE for the snow cover yields the best agreement between modelled and measured runoff. On sub-daily time scales, the water transport schemes behave very differently. Also here, solving RE provides the highest agreement between modelled and measured runoff in terms of NSE coefficient (0.48), where other water transport schemes loose any predictive power. This appears to be mainly due to bad timing of meltwater release during the day. Accordingly, solving RE for the snow cover improves several aspects of modelling snow cover runoff. The additional computational cost was found to be in the order of a factor of 1.5.
Snowing, freezing … tweeting? Organizational Twitter use during crisis
Authors: Larsson Anders Olof , Ågerfalk Pär J
Published: June 2013

Since its launch in 2006, Twitter use has evolved and is increasingly being adopted in a variety of contexts. One such area of use is business, where companies have tried to establish practices and guidelines for company and employee ”tweeting”. This paper presents a study on Twitter use by SJ, the national Swedish train operator. The aim of the study is to investigate how SJ (known on Twitter under the handle @SJ_AB) made use of the platform at hand to communicate with customers during the tumultuous Christmas season of 2010. Specifically, the paper features the analysis of an extensive data set containing of over 3000 tweets tagged as relevant to the study and archived during the winter of 2010/11 using the YourTwapperKeeper application. By utilizing social network analyses of a large dataset archived utilizing state-of-the-art online applications, the study contributes to the development of scientific methods to handle large-scale online empirics. Findings show that while SJ are indeed utilizing Twitter to communicate with their customers, the discerned communicative patterns are mostly pertaining to what is described as an “office hour”-approach – making use of the Twitter platform in a way that largely conforms to established routines of organizational communication.
Propagation of unintentionally shared information and online tracking
Authors: Sar Rath Kanha , Al-Saggaf Yeslam
Published: June 2013

Various pieces of information are being shared online while users browse the Internet. Previous studies have demonstrated that as social networking sites (SNS) became popular, the information being leaked or shared is becoming more personal (including names and e-mail addresses). Users’ information is being shared or leaked from visited sites (both SNS and non-SNS) to third party sites (such as advertisers) in a number of ways including via the HTTP header. The intent of this study is identify the privacy implications of browsing the Internet within a single browsing session of a group of commonly visited sites (both SNS and non-SNS) doing activities common among most online users. We analysed the HTTP headers resulting from the first author’s browsing and reported on the types of information being shared or leaked, and to whom. We observed that within just a single browsing session of some sites, both the user’s identifiable and non-identifiable information are being leaked to various third party sites and also propagated to more than just one level of third party site. We also found that some SNS are also able to track user’s browsing activities not only within the SNS but also beyond it -particularly among web sites that use SNS widgets.
The networked life of professional encyclopaedias: Quantification, tradition, and trustworthiness
Authors: Sundin Olof , Haider Jutta
Published: June 2013

This paper aims at making visible new orders of encyclopaedic knowledge by means of an ethnographic study carried out during eight months at the editorial office of the leading commercial encyclopaedia in Sweden, Nationalencyklopedin (NE). The investigation is framed in a socio-technical understanding of how people, technologies and practices relate to each other. Three themes were identified during the analysis: Organisation of labour amongst the editors, the use of statistics, and NE as a producer of facts versus a producer of analysis. The analysis revolves around the ambivalence, uncertainty, sometimes even friction, between traditional encyclopaedic knowledge and network culture. The often routine-based practices of updating articles meets ideas of project work, of open data, of algorithms and most of all of quantification.
"Walking Like a Crab": Analyzing Maskanda Music in Post-Apartheid South Africa
Authors: Titus Barbara
Published: June 2013

This article addresses a South African music genre: maskanda, often marketed as "Zulu blues." It describes the various ways maskanda is musically analyzed and interpreted by musicians, audiences, producers, and scholars, including myself. By treating music analysis as a form of participant observation (and indigenizing my own analytical conventions) the article aims, foremostly, to foster a cross-cultural dialogue about musical experiences (hearings) and the practices of finding words for these experiences (conceptualizations). Music analysis as participant observation also sheds light on local historiographies, critiques, and structural analyses of maskanda, and it bridges the artificial academic dichotomy of object-related observation (music analysis) and discourserelated theorization (cultural analysis) that still impairs much music research.
Trends in Laboratory Test Volumes for Medicare Part B Reimbursements, 2000–2010
Authors: Shahangian Shahram , Alspach Todd D. , Astles J. Rex , Yesupriya Ajay , Dettwyler William K.
Published: June 2013

Context.—Changes in reimbursements for clinical laboratory testing may help us assess the effect of various variables, such as testing recommendations, market forces, changes in testing technology, and changes in clinical or laboratory practices, and provide information that can influence health care and public health policy decisions. To date, however, there has been no report, to our knowledge, of longitudinal trends in national laboratory test use.

Objective.—To evaluate Medicare Part B–reimbursed volumes of selected laboratory tests per 10 000 enrollees from 2000 through 2010.

Design.—Laboratory test reimbursement volumes per 10 000 enrollees in Medicare Part B were obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Baltimore, Maryland). The ratio of the most recent (2010) reimbursed test volume per 10 000 Medicare enrollees, divided by the oldest data (usually 2000) during this decade, called the volume ratio, was used to measure trends in test reimbursement. Laboratory tests with a reimbursement claim frequency of at least 10 per 10 000 Medicare enrollees in 2010 were selected, provided there was more than a 50% change in test reimbursement volume during the 2000–2010 decade. We combined the reimbursed test volumes for the few tests that were listed under more than one code in the Current Procedural Terminology (American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois). A 2-sided Poisson regression, adjusted for potential overdispersion, was used to determine P values for the trend; trends were considered significant at P < .05.

Results.—Tests with the greatest decrease in reimbursement volumes were electrolytes, digoxin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and lithium, with volume ratios ranging from 0.27 to 0.64 (P < .001). Tests with the greatest increase in reimbursement volumes were meprobamate, opiates, methadone, phencyclidine, amphetamines, cocaine, and vitamin D, with volume ratios ranging from 83 to 1510 (P < .001).

Conclusions.—Although reimbursement volumes increased for most of the selected tests, other tests exhibited statistically significant downward trends in annual reimbursement volumes. The observed changes in reimbursement volumes may be explained by disease prevalence and severity, patterns of drug use, clinical or laboratory practices, and testing recommendations and guidelines, among others. These data may be useful to policy makers, health systems researchers, laboratory directors, and industry scientists to understand, address, and anticipate trends in laboratory testing in the Medicare population.
The Gap Between Aspiration and Practice
Authors: Tuckett Alan
Published: June 2013

This chapter addresses Themes 8 and 10 of the Hamburg Declaration: Adult learning for all: The rights and aspirations of different groups, and Enhancing international cooperation and solidarity.
Assessment of Chronic Postsurgical Pain After Knee Replacement: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wylde Vikki , Bruce Julie , Beswick Andrew , Elvers Karen , Gooberman‐Hill Rachael
Published: June 2013

Objective

Approximately 20% of patients experience chronic pain after total knee replacement (TKR), yet there is no consensus about how best to assess such pain. This systematic review aimed to identify measures used to characterize chronic pain after TKR.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases were searched for research articles published in all languages from January 2002 to November 2011. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they assessed knee pain at a minimum of 3 months after TKR, yielding a total of 1,164 articles. The data extracted included the study design, country, timings of assessments, and outcome measures containing pain items. The outcome measures were compared with domains recommended by the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials (IMMPACT) for inclusion in the assessment of chronic pain–related outcomes within clinical trials. Temporal trends were also explored.

Results

The review found use of a wide variety of composite and single‐item measures, with the American Knee Society Score the most common. Many measures used in published studies did not capture the multidimensional nature of pain recommended by the IMMPACT; of those commonly used, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and Oxford Knee Score were the most comprehensive. Geographic trends were evident, with nation‐specific preferences for particular measures. A recent reduction in the use of some clinically administered tools was accompanied by an increased use of patient‐reported outcome measures.

Conclusion

There was wide variation in the methods of pain assessment alongside nation‐specific preferences and changing temporal trends in pain assessment after TKR. Standardization and improvements in assessment are needed to enhance the quality of research and facilitate the establishment of a core outcome set.
Evaluation of Histologic, Serologic, and Clinical Changes in Response to Abatacept Treatment of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Authors: Adler Sabine , Körner Meike , Förger Frauke , Huscher Dörte , Caversaccio Marco‐Domenico , Villiger Peter M.
Published: June 2013

Objective

To prospectively evaluate histopathologic, blood cellular, serologic, and clinical changes in response to abatacept treatment in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods

Blood, saliva, and minor salivary gland biopsy samples were obtained before and after the last of 8 doses of abatacept in 11 primary SS patients. The histologic data evaluated the numbers of lymphocytic foci and B and T cell subtypes (CD20+, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+). The numbers of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells were measured and the FoxP3:CD3 ratio was calculated. Histologic data were compared with results from peripheral blood and with changes in saliva secretion.

Results

The numbers of lymphocytic foci decreased significantly (P = 0.041). Numbers of local FoxP3+ T cells decreased significantly in percentage of total lymphocytic infiltrates (P = 0.037). In the peripheral blood, B cells increased (P = 0.038). This was due to an expansion of the naive B cell pool (P = 0.034). When adjusting for disease duration, an increase was also noted for total lymphocytes (P = 0.044) and for CD4 cells (P = 0.009). Gamma globulins decreased significantly (P = 0.005), but IgG reduction did not reach significance. Adjusted for disease duration, saliva production increased significantly (P = 0.029).

Conclusion

CTLA‐4Ig treatment significantly reduces glandular inflammation in primary SS, induces several cellular changes, and increases saliva production. Remarkably, this increase in saliva production is significantly influenced by disease duration.
Biomimetic Hydrogel‐Based Actuating Systems
Authors: Ionov Leonid
Published: June 2013

Active motion is intrinsic to all kinds of living organisms from unicellular ones to humans and inspires development of synthetic actively moving materials. Hydrogels, which are three dimensional polymer networks imbibed with aqueous solutions, mimic the swelling/shrinking behavior of plant cells and produce macroscopic actuation upon swelling and shrinking. This Feature Article covers basic principles of design as well as recent advances in the development of hydrogel based actuating systems. It is discussed how simply swelling can be used to generate very complex multistep motion, which can be used to develop new optical devices, sensors, biomaterials, smart surface, etc.
Rapid Flow‐Through Biocatalysis with High Surface Area, Enzyme‐Loaded Carbon and Gold‐Bearing Diatom Frustule Replicas
Authors: Davis Stan C. , Sheppard Vonda C. , Begum Gousia , Cai Ye , Fang Yunnan , Berrigan John D. , Kröger Nils , Sandhage Kenneth H.
Published: June 2013

Hierarchically‐porous, rigid inorganic structures have attracted appreciable interest in a wide range of applications, including catalysis, filtration, sensing, and energy storage/harvesting. Naturally‐occurring, hierarchically‐porous, rigid assemblies with a wide range of three‐dimensional (3D) structures are generated by diatoms (photosynthetic aquatic microorganisms); that is, each of the tens of thousands of diatom species forms a macro‐to‐mesoporous, silica‐bearing cell wall (frustule) with a particular, highly‐reproducible 3D morphology. We have recently demonstrated that such intricate biosilica structures can be converted, without loss of 3D morphology, into high surface area (>1300 m2/g) macro‐to‐microporous carbon. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, how the chemical tailoring of such hierarchically‐porous, carbon‐converted, 3D biogenic structures can result in a high degree of enzyme loading for rapid flow‐through catalysis. Two approaches have been developed for enriching such structures with carboxylic acid groups: i) dendritic amplification of partially‐oxidized C replicas, and ii) electrochemical Au deposition followed by self‐assembly of a carboxylic acid‐bearing surface layer. The terminal carboxylic acid groups were then used for electrostatic attachment of a protamine (PA) modified derivative of the model enzyme, glucose oxidase (GOx‐PA). In a flow‐through system, the GOx‐PA‐loaded, diatom‐derived microscale structures displayed a glucose consumption rate more than 80% faster than for GOx‐PA‐loaded C black and Au nanoparticles. The rapid flow‐through catalysis of the carbon and gold‐bearing frustule replicas was enabled by the open 3D morphology of the starting diatom silica templates, along with the enhanced surface area and high enzyme loading resulting from the chemical conversion and surface functionalization processes.
Colloidal Surface Assemblies: Nanotechnology Meets Bioinspiration
Authors: Kraus Tobias , Brodoceanu Daniel , Pazos‐Perez Nicolas , Fery Andreas
Published: June 2013

This Feature Article discusses two biomimetic aspects of functional particle surface assembly: the fabrication of biologically inspired structures from particles and the arrangement of particles on biomimetic templates. The first part discusses the creation of primary patterns by convective assembly and adsorption of particles that can be modified by a combination of etching and growth steps. Resulting structures mimic moth eyes, Lotus leaves, and the Gecko's adhesive structures, for example. The second part focusses on template assisted self‐assembly (TASA) of particles. Herein, biological examples are inspiring in terms of structure formation related processes, rather than in terms of functionality. Template formation is a major bottleneck TASA. It is illustrated how bio‐inspired wrinkling processes help overcoming this problem and can be employed for forming highly ordered functional nanoparticle assemblies.
Iron‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Stereoselective Conjugate Addition of Aryl‐Grignard Reagents to α,β,γ,δ‐Unsaturated Sulfones and its Synthetic Application
Authors: Hata Takeshi , Nakada Takuya , Oh Yun Taek , Hirone Naoki , Urabe Hirokazu
Published: June 2013

The iron‐catalyzed δ‐addition of aryl‐Grignard reagents to α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated sulfones proceeded in a regio‐ and stereoselective manner to give cis‐4‐aryl‐2‐alkenyl sulfones. Allylic alkylation of the resultant products was performed without isomerization of the cis‐olefin to give cis‐4‐aryl‐1,1‐dialkyl‐2‐alkenyl sulfones, which upon intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction with aluminum chloride gave 1,4‐dihydronaphthalenes having a quaternary carbon center.
General Method of Synthesis for Naloxone, Naltrexone, Nalbuphone, and Nalbuphine by the Reaction of Grignard Reagents with an Oxazolidine Derived from Oxymorphone
Authors: Endoma‐Arias Mary Ann A. , Cox D. Phillip , Hudlicky Tomas
Published: June 2013

The N‐oxide of O‐acyloxymorphone, when treated with the Burgess reagent, provides the corresponding oxazolidine in a one‐pot sequence and in excellent yield. The oxazolidine derived from oxymorphone, temporarily protected at O‐3 and C‐6, reacts with Grignard reagents to provide directly N‐allyl, N‐cyclopropylmethyl, and N‐cyclobutylmethyl derivatives that are further converted to the title compounds, namely naltrexone, naloxone, nalbuphone, and nalbuphine in excellent yields. Each of these medicinal agents is obtained from the oxazolidine in a one‐pot sequence. Complete spectral and experimental data are provided for all compounds.
Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines through Tandem Imine Formation‐Oxidative Cyclization under Ambient Air: One‐Step Synthesis of Zolimidine on a Gram‐Scale
Authors: Bagdi Avik Kumar , Rahman Matiur , Santra Sougata , Majee Adinath , Hajra Alakananda
Published: June 2013

A new copper‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization via CH amination between 2‐aminopyridines and methyl aryl/heteroaryl ketones has been developed under ambient air. Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines containing a wide range of functional groups have been synthesized from basic and easily available starting materials. This simple, one‐pot reaction protocol is applicable for the direct preparation of zolimidine (a marketed antiulcer drug) on a large scale.
Micromechanics of agglomeration forced by the capillary bridge: The restitution of momentum
Authors: Balakin Boris V. , Alyaev Sergey , Hoffmann Alex C. , Kosinski Pawel
Published: June 2013

The formation of capillary bridge formed by a liquid adsorbate is one of the main reasons for agglomeration in multiphase flows. Agglomeration takes place when the relative momentum of two colliding particles is fully consumed by the bridge. This article presents a theoretical study of the collisions of particles with adsorbed liquid taking into account the influence of capillary and viscous dissipative forces. The article proposes an approximate analytical solution for the dynamics of the bridge formed during the collision, together with a more complete numerical model, which is validated with experimental data. The restitution of the relative momentum of the colliding particles, depending on a series of dimensionless parameters characterizing the bridge, is investigated. A criterion for prediction of agglomeration, or “collision efficiency,” in a flow involving cohesive particles is given. An expression is proposed for the coefficient of restitution for the case of collision via a liquid bridge. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4045–4057, 2013
Interaction between noise and cigarette smoking for the outcome of hearing loss among women: A population‐based study
Authors: Ferrite Silvia , Santana Vilma S. , Marshall Stephen W.
Published: June 2013

Background

We investigated the interaction between exposure to noise and smoking in relation to prevalence of hearing loss among women.

Methods

A sample of women aged 20–49 years (n = 1,723) from a population‐based cross‐sectional study carried out in Brazil in 2006 was examined. Hearing loss was assessed using a yes–no validated question. Biological interaction was analyzed using the additive scale and measured with interaction contrast ratio (ICR) and assessment of dose–response relationship.

Results

The combined effect of exposure to noise and cigarette smoking on hearing loss (adjusted prevalence ratio (PRadj) = 3.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.81, 5.52) was greater than expected based on the additive single effects of smoking (PRadj = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.81) and noise (PRadj = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.86, 3.82). ICR estimates were not statistically significant. The prevalence of hearing loss among noise‐exposed women increased with duration of smoking (P trend = 0.026), number of cigarettes smoked per day (P trend = 0.034), cumulative tobacco use (P trend = 0.030), and early age at smoking initiation (P trend = 0.047).

Conclusions

Noise and smoking may have a combined effect on hearing loss but further studies are still needed. A dose–response relation of smoking for the noise effect among women is suggested. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:1213–1220, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mobility histories of 7th–9th century AD people buried at early medieval Bamburgh, Northumberland, England
Authors: Groves S.E. , Roberts C.A. , Lucy S. , Pearson G. , Gröcke D.R. , Nowell G. , Macpherson C.G. , Young G.
Published: June 2013

Early Medieval England is described historically as a time when people migrated from the Continent to English shores. This study tests the hypothesis that those buried in the Bowl Hole cemetery, Bamburgh, Northumberland were nonlocally born, because of its royal status. Ninety‐one male and female adult, and nonadult, skeletons were studied. Isotope ratios of strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and oxygen (δ18O) were generated for 78 individuals (28 females, 27 males, five “adults,” 18 nonadults). The mean Sr value for human enamel was 0.71044, standard deviation (sd) 0.001, and the mean O (δw) value is −5.9‰, sd 1.6‰. Additionally, animal tooth enamel (mean Sr value 0.710587, sd 0.001; mean O value −6.5‰, sd 1.5‰), local soil (mean Sr value 0.709184, sd 0.0006), snail shells (mean Sr value 0.708888, sd 0.0001), and soil samples from a 5 km transect heading inland (mean Sr value 0.709121, sd 0.0003), were analyzed for an indication of the isotopic composition of bioavailable Sr in the modern environment and to assess the impact of sea‐spray; water samples from a well, local rivers, and standing water were analyzed for local δ18O values (mean O value −6.4‰, relative to VSMOW, sd 2.8‰). Over 50% of those buried at Bamburgh were nonlocal. All ages and both sexes produced “nonlocal” signatures; some suggested childhood origins in Scandinavia, the southern Mediterranean or North Africa. Stature and other indicators of health status indicated differences in quality of life between local and migrant groups. These differences did not extend to burial practices. Am J Phys Anthropol 151:462–476, 2013.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ca2+/CALMODULIN‐DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE II IN THE COCKROACH Periplaneta americana: IDENTIFICATION OF FIVE ISOFORMS AND THEIR TISSUES DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Taillebois Emiliane , Heuland Emilie , Bourdin Céline M. , Griveau Audrey , Quinchard Sophie , Tricoire‐Leignel Helene , Legros Christian , Thany Steeve H.
Published: June 2013

Calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a key kinase that transduces Ca2+ signals into downstream effects acting on a range of cellular processes in nervous system and muscular tissues. In insects, different CaMKII isoforms have been reported in Drosophila melanogaster, Apis florae, Bombus terrestris, and Bombus impatiens but little is known on the organization and tissue‐specific expression of these isoforms with the exception of Drosophila. The present study reports the cloning of five CaMKII splice variants issued from a single gene and their tissue‐specific expression in the cockroach Periplaneta americana. Each CaMKII isoform shared 82–90% identity with Drosophila CaMKII isoforms and accordingly were named PaCaMKII‐A, PaCaMKII‐B,PaCaMKII‐C,PaCaMKII‐D, and PaCaMKII‐E. PaCaMKII‐A and PaCaMKII‐D isoforms are ubiquitously expressed in all tissues, but some such as PaCaMKII‐B andPaCaMKII‐C are preferentially expressed in the nerve cord and muscle. In addition, using single‐cell reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), we found a tissue‐specific expression of PaCaMKII‐E in the dorsal unpaired median neurons. Alternative splicing of PaCaMKII transcripts is likely a common mechanism in insects to control the pattern of isoform expression in the different tissues.