bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating Switching Cost Roles in Determining Loyalty in the Mobile Telecommunications Market
Authors: Qayyum Abdul , Khang Do Ba
Published: January 2013

The paper evaluates various roles (direct antecedent, mediator or moderator) of perceived switching costs in determining customer loyalty in the mobile telecommunications market. Data were collected through a field survey of mobile phone users in Pakistan. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate hypothesized relationships. Perceived switching costs were found to play all three roles. Findings suggest that perceived switching costs directly influence customer loyalty, mediate the impacts of perceived service quality, value, and trust on customer loyalty and negatively moderate the relationships of satisfaction and perceived service quality with customer loyalty. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Transparency in the Open Government Era
Authors: Karamagioli Evika
Published: January 2013

The decline in citizen engagement in the public sphere has long been one of the main challenges of modern government. Issues of trust, openness, and transparency are being frequently and intensely discussed as the public manifests lack of confidence in public servants and governmental institutions. The advent and development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is gradually revolutionizing this situation. Open government is an innovative strategy for changing how government works, helping to increase government transparency and accountability at every level. By using network technology to connect the public to government and to one another informed by open data, governments ask for help with solving problems. The end result is more effective institutions and more robust democracy. The chapter has as an objective to discuss on a theoretical level the role of open government mechanisms in introducing a new relation between citizens and policy makers.
The Civil Internet Diplomacy and China’s Countermeasures
Authors: Su Shumin , Xu Mark
Published: January 2013

The Internet Civil Diplomacy is a major revolution and an emerging trend witnessed in the information age. It poses a significant impact on foreign affairs and official diplomacy due to its unique characteristics—freedom, equality, individuality, real-time, low-cost, and convenience. This chapter reviews the development of Internet-based civil diplomacy and the practice of China’s Internet-based civil diplomacy, which has been greatly developed in recent years in multiple forms—e.g. Web forums, website signatures, event-driven purpose-build foreign affairs sites. Two types of impact of the civil Internet diplomacy—expansion effect and resonance effect—have been examined in the Chinese context through cases, events, and examples. The chapter also identifies challenges and proposes solutions for future development of the civil Internet diplomacy in China.
A Paradigm Shift in Swedish Electronic Surveillance Law
Authors: Klamberg Mark
Published: January 2013

Electronic surveillance law is subject to a paradigm shift where traditional principles are reconsidered and the notion of privacy has to be reconstructed. This paradigm shift is the result of four major changes in our society with regard to: technology, perceptions of threats, interpretation of human rights and ownership over telecommunications. The above-mentioned changes have created a need to reform both the tools of electronic surveillance and domestic legislation. Surveillance that was previously kept secret with reference to National Security is now subject to public debate, including Communications Intelligence (COMINT), a sub-category of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). This chapter covers systems of “mass surveillance,” such as data retention and COMINT, and whether these are consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights. The chapter comes to two conclusions in relation to COMINT. First, the perceived threats have changed, shifting the focus of COMINT from military threats towards non-state actors such as terrorists and criminal networks. Second, COMINT involves relatively narrow interception of the content of messages compared to its large-scale collection and storage of traffic data, which through further processing may reveal who is communicating with whom.
The Right to Anonymity in Political Activities
Authors: Fournier Knut
Published: January 2013

The complexity of the right to privacy is particularly striking when the issues at stake are, ultimately, other political rights and freedoms such as the right to free speech and the right of association. The surveillance of individuals and groups by the state has strong political consequences: the surveillance of political activities re-defines what the private sphere is, and displaces its limits, in a context in which more information is becoming available to the public. Multiple recent developments, exemplified by the role of the right to privacy in movies, exacerbated the tensions between Europe and the United States over the notion of privacy. The future EU data protection laws will create a right to be forgotten, whose political value is still unknown.
The Prohibition of Discrimination on Grounds of Age in EU Law
Authors: Brottes Jérémy
Published: January 2013

The objective of this chapter is to analyze the regime of the prohibition of discriminations on grounds of age in EU law in the light of the judgments of Wolf, Petersen, and Kücükdeveci. In particular, this chapter demonstrates that EU law in this matter is moving towards a conceptual uniformity due to the fact that the ECJ recognized that the various principles prohibiting discriminations on grounds of age derived from the EU general principle of equality. Such approach allows the ECJ to extend the scope of Directive 2000/78 and to strengthen the legal force of the principle of non-discrimination on grounds of age. These cases also reveal an orientation to a conceptual autonomy of the principle of non-discrimination on grounds of age vis-à-vis the other basis of discrimination that seems inherent to the specificity of discriminations on grounds of age and to the possibilities of exception to the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of age.
Spatial Coupling of JNK Activation to the B Cell Antigen Receptor by Tyrosine-Phosphorylated Ezrin
Authors: Parameswaran Neetha , Enyindah-Asonye Gospel , Bagheri Nayer , Shah Neilay B. , Gupta Neetu
Published: January 2013

The ezrin-radixin-moesin proteins regulate B lymphocyte activation via their effect on BCR diffusion and microclustering. This relies on their ability to dynamically tether the plasma membrane with actin filaments that is in turn facilitated by phosphorylation of the conserved threonine residue in the actin-binding domain. In this study, we describe a novel function of ezrin in regulating JNK activation that is mediated by phosphorylation of a tyrosine (Y353) residue that is unconserved with moesin and radixin. BCR, but not CD40, TLR4, or CXCR5 stimulation, induced phosphorylation of ezrin at Y353 in mouse splenic B cells. Ezrin existed in a preformed complex with Syk in unstimulated B cells and underwent Syk-dependent phosphorylation upon anti-IgM stimulation. Y353-phosphorylated ezrin colocalized with the BCR within minutes of stimulation and cotrafficked with the endocytosed BCRs through the early and late endosomes. The T567 residue of ezrin was rephosphorylated in late endosomes and at the plasma membrane at later times of BCR stimulation. Expression of a nonphosphorylatable Y353F mutant of ezrin specifically impaired JNK activation. BCR crosslinking induced the association of Y353-phosphorylated ezrin with JNK and its kinase MAPKK7, as well as spatial colocalization with phosphorylated JNK in the endosomes. The yellow fluorescent protein–tagged Y353F mutant displayed reduced colocalization with the endocytosed BCR as compared with wild-type ezrin-yellow fluorescent protein. Taken together, our data identify a novel role for ezrin as a spatial adaptor that couples JNK signaling components to the BCR signalosome, thus facilitating JNK activation.
Virus-Encoded TLR Ligands Reveal Divergent Functional Responses of Mononuclear Phagocytes in Pathogenic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Wonderlich Elizabeth R. , Wijewardana Viskam , Liu Xiangdong , Barratt-Boyes Simon M.
Published: January 2013

The role of mononuclear phagocytes in the pathogenesis or control of HIV infection is unclear. In this study, we monitored the dynamics and function of dendritic cells (DC) and monocytes/macrophages in rhesus macaques acutely infected with pathogenic SIVmac251 with and without antiretroviral therapy (ART). SIV infection was associated with monocyte mobilization and recruitment of plasmacytoid DC (pDC) and macrophages to lymph nodes, which did not occur with ART treatment. SIVmac251 single-stranded RNA encoded several uridine-rich sequences that were potent TLR7/8 ligands in mononuclear phagocytes of naive animals, stimulating myeloid DC (mDC) and monocytes to produce TNF-α and pDC and macrophages to produce both TNF-α and IFN-α. Following SIV infection, pDC and monocytes/macrophages rapidly became hyporesponsive to stimulation with SIV-encoded TLR ligands and influenza virus, a condition that was reversed by ART. The loss of pDC and macrophage function was associated with a profound but transient block in the capacity of lymph node cells to secrete IFN-α upon stimulation. In contrast to pDC and monocytes/macrophages, mDC increased TNF-α production in response to stimulation following acute infection. Moreover, SIV-infected rhesus macaques with stable infection had increased mDC responsiveness to SIV-encoded TLR ligands and influenza virus at set point, whereas animals that progressed rapidly to AIDS had reduced mDC responsiveness. These findings indicate that SIV encodes immunostimulatory TLR ligands and that pDC, mDC, and monocytes/macrophages respond to these ligands differently as a function of SIV infection. The data also suggest that increased responsiveness of mDC to stimulation following SIV infection may be beneficial to the host.
Reduction of Azo Dyes by Flavin Reductase from Citrobacter freundii A1
Authors: Abdul-Wahab Mohd Firdaus , Chan Giek Far , Mohd Yusoff Abdull Rahim , Abdul Rashid Noor Aini
Published: January 2013

Citrobacter freundii A1 isolated from a sewage treatment facility was demonstrated to be able to effectively decolorize azo dyes as pure and mixed culture. This study reports on the investigation on the enzymatic systems involved. An assay performed suggested the possible involvement of flavin reductase (Fre) as an azo reductase. A heterologouslyexpressed recombinant Fre from C. freundii A1 was used to investigate its involvement in the azo reduction process. Three model dyes were used, namely Acid Red 27 (AR27), Direct Blue 15 (DB15) and Reactive Black 5 (RB5). AR27 was found to be reduced the fastest by Fre, followed by RB5, and lastly DB15. Redox mediators nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and riboflavin enhance the reduction, suggesting the redox activity of the enzyme. The rate and extent of reduction of the model dyes correlate well with the reduction potentials (Ep). The data presented here strongly suggest that Fre is one of the enzymes responsible for azo reduction in C. freundii A1, acting via an oxidation-reduction reaction.
Limitations to the 6-Minute Walk Test in Dermatomyositis with Interstitial Lung Disease in comparison with Idiopathic Interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Someya Fujiko , Mugii Naoki
Published: January 2013

Although the relationship between muscle strength and exercise capacity has been demonstrated in dermatomyositis without lung dysfunction, little is known about the association between exercise capacity and interstitial lung disease in dermatomyositis. Eleven patients with dermatomyositis with interstitial lung disease without the manifestation of muscle weakness and 12 patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia underwent the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). PaO2, creatine kinase, percentage predicted 6MWT distance (6MWD%), and SpO2 at rest were similar between patients. Percentage predicted vital capacity, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO%), and SpO2 after 6MWT were higher and exertional dyspnea was lower in patients with dermatomyositis than in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. SpO2 after 6MWT was positively correlated with 6MWD% in patients with dermatomyositis, while DLCO% and PaO2 were positively correlated with 6MWD% in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Lung dysfunction in dermatomyositis might not be a major limitation factor in exercise capacity.
Juxtacortical Clavicular Chondrosarcoma: Diagnostic Dilemmas: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Efremidou E.I. , Oikonomou A. , Pavlidou E. , Drosos G. , Koutsopoulos A. , Liratzopoulos N.
Published: January 2013

Juxtacortical chondrosarcoma is a rare primary malignant cartilaginous tumor accounting for 0.2% of all bone tumors. Wide surgical resection is the treatment of choice for juxtacortical chondrosarcomas. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is important in ensuring appropriate management, staging, and treatment of the patient. A combination of radiographs, three-dimensional imaging with computerized tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can typically allow accurate diagnosis of juxtacortical chondrosarcomas. Bone scan and chest x-ray or CT chest scans are indicated for appropriate staging of the patient. Pet scan, ultrasound, bone scan, etc. are not typically needed for the diagnosis. Certainly, pulmonary imaging and bone scan are required for staging and could be commented upon.
Clinical Utility of Aromatase Inhibitors as Adjuvant Treatment in postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Loaiza-Bonilla Arturo , Socola Francisco , Glück Stefan
Published: January 2013

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women, with over 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Adjuvant systemic endocrine therapy has demonstrated its benefits in reducing the risk of occult micro metastatic infiltration by preventing breast cancer cells from receiving endogenous estrogen stimulation. Initial adjuvant treatment with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) is considered the standard of care for most postmenopausal women with node-positive and high-risk node-negative estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are generally preferred over tamoxifen due to their effectiveness in preventing breast cancer recurrence post surgery and when tamoxifen side effects are to be avoided. When compared with tamoxifen, AIs are associated with significantly improved disease-free survival, however no OS advantage has been noted. Potential toxicities such as bone loss, dyslipidemia, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health issues should be taken into consideration when AIs are to be used.
A Five-Country Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Circulating Cathodic Antigen Urine Assay for the Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Colley Daniel G. , Binder Sue , Campbell Carl , King Charles H. , Tchuem Tchuenté Louis-Albert , N'Goran Eliézer K. , Erko Berhanu , Karanja Diana M. S. , Kabatereine Narcis B. , van Lieshout Lisette , Rathbun Stephen
Published: January 2013

We evaluated a commercial point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) test for assessing Schistosoma mansoni infection prevalence in areas at risk. Overall, 4,405 school-age children in Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda provided urine for POC-CCA testing and stool for Kato-Katz assays. By latent class analysis, one POC-CCA test was more sensitive (86% versus 62%) but less specific (72% versus ∼100%) than multiple Kato-Katz smears from one stool. However, only 1% of POC-CCA tests in a non-endemic area were false positives, suggesting the latent class analysis underestimated the POC-CCA specificity. Multivariable modeling estimated POC-CCA as significantly more sensitive than Kato-Katz at low infection intensities (< 100 eggs/gram stool). By linear regression, 72% prevalence among 9–12 year olds by POC-CCA corresponded to 50% prevalence by Kato-Katz, whereas 46% POC-CCA prevalence corresponded to 10% Kato-Katz prevalence. We conclude that one urine POC-CCA test can replace Kato-Katz testing for community-level S. mansoni prevalence mapping.
Subepithelial Vocal Fold Cyst: A Pearl on a String?
Authors: Nerurkar Nupur , Shukla Sunita Chhapola
Published: January 2013

Objective

Subepithelial vocal fold cyst (SEVFC) is an epithelium lined sac within the lamina propria. These cysts are of two histologic types: Mucous retention cyst and epidermoid cyst. Rupture of the cyst during surgical excision and incomplete cyst wall removal with consequent recurrence of the cyst is not an infrequent problem. While performing cold-steel blunt microflap surgery for SEVFC, the first author observed thick fibrotic bands at the 12 and 6 o'clock position in all the cases, giving the appearance of a ‘pearl (cyst) on a string (fibrotic bands)’. In most cases of cyst rupture, it took place during dissection of these bands. The aim of our study was to see if there was any significant difference in rupture and recurrence rate by sharp versus blunt dissection of these fibrotic bands.

Study design

Retrospective nonrandomized cohort comparison.

Materials and methods

Fifty-nine subepithelial cysts were operated by microflap technique. The first 26 cysts were taken in alternation for blunt vs sharp dissection of the fibrotic bands. As the results of sharp dissection were better, the subsequent 33 cysts were operated with sharp dissection of the anterior and posterior bands.

Results

Sharp dissection of the anterior and posterior bands during microflap dissection reduced the incidence of cyst rupture (p = 0.006) and recurrence (p = 0.007) of cyst formation.

Conclusion

SEVFC are anchored by thick fibrotic bands at the 12 and 6 o'clock position giving it the appearance of a ‘pearl (cyst) on a string (fibrotic bands)’. Sharp dissection of these bands during microflap dissection reduces the incidence of cyst rupture and recurrence.

How to cite this article

Nerurkar NK, Shukla SC. Subepithelial Vocal Fold Cyst: A Pearl on a String? Int J Phonosurg and Laryngol 2012;2(2):53-56.
Supraglottic Laryngeal Paraganglioma: A Rare Clinical Entity managed by Lateral Pharyngotomy Approach
Authors: Naik Sudhir M
Published: January 2013

Background/objectives

Laryngeal paragangliomas are benign slow growing tumors with symptoms resembling squamous cell carcinoma. Hoarseness or dysphasia is the commonest presenting symptom and usually it presents as a submucosal mass on laryngoscopy. A total of 90% of these tumors occur in the supraglottic larynx and the rest in the glottis and the subglottic region. Functional activity is seen in a few (2.9%), none are associated with paraneoplastic syndromes.

Setting

Department of Head and Neck Oncosurgery, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru.

Case report

A 35-year-old male presented to us with hoarseness of voice since 4 months duration. Contrast arteriography demonstrated that the left superior thyroid artery supplied greater than 80% of the blood supply to the laryngeal mass. Superselective embolization was done from the right femoral under local anesthesia and sedation which was uneventful.

Intervention

The tumor was excised from lateral pharyngotomy approach with an elective tracheostomy. Microscopy suggested it to be paraganglioma and immunohistochemistry confirmed it.

Conclusion

Complete surgical resection or partial laryngectomy with meticulous dissection of surrounding tissues and preservation of neurovascular structures give an excellent prognosis as far as oncological clearance is concerned. Malignant paragangliomas of the larynx are rare and a major meta-analysis is necessary to provide a true biological behavior of this tumor.

How to cite this article

Naik SM. Supraglottic Laryngeal Paraganglioma: A Rare Clinical Entity managed by Lateral Pharyngotomy Approach. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2012;2(2): 69-73.
Near Total Laryngectomy and Laryngopharyngectomy
Authors: Varghese Bipin Thomas
Published: January 2013

Author describes the technical modifications in near total laryngectomy (NTL) that helps in reducing wound-related morbidity especially in a salvage setting. The improvization described ensures optimal preservation of normal structures thereby enhancing the functional results of NTL.

How to cite this article

Varghese BT. Near Total Laryngectomy and Laryngopharyngectomy. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2012;2(2):77-78.
Lipomas of Larynx: The Rare Entities
Authors: Megalamani Somanath B , Gadag Ravindra , Raza A , Satish A
Published: January 2013

Lipoma is the commonest soft tissue tumor arising anywhere in the body, but its occurrence in the larynx is relatively rare. We present a rarest case of lipoma with cartilaginous metaplasia arising from the larynx just above the anterior commissure. The second case report is about a large spindle cell lipoma of larynx presented with stridor.

How to cite this article

Megalamani SB, Gadag R, Raza A, Satish A. Lipomas of Larynx: The Rare Entities. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2012;2(2):79-81.
An Unusual cause for Vocal Cord Palsy: Case Record
Authors: Divya GM , Varghese Bipin Thomas , Sebastian Paul
Published: January 2013

Objectives

We report a case of granulomatous lesion infiltrating the recurrent laryngeal nerve to produce vocal cord palsy, the diagnostic dilemma posed by it and its management.

Materials and methods

Clinical documentation of a 52-yearold man who presented with hoarseness of 3 months duration is presented. The clinical examination revealed immobile left vocal cord and a bulky (Lt) ventricular band with a suspicious ulcer on its posterior aspect. A computed tomographic (CT) scan of the neck and chest revealed a 1 × 1 cm nodular lesion in the tracheoesophageal groove.

Conclusion

Causes for vocal cord palsies are wide ranging and predominantly include malignant infiltration of the vagus or the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The anatomical site of involvement can be clinically and radiologically assessed with ease. Vocal cord palsy due to recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement by a granulomatous lesion is an unreported phenomenon and we believe that this is the first case to be reported in literature.

An unusual case of recurrent laryngeal nerve granuloma is reported with the diagnostic dilemma that it presented. This was successfully managed by surgical excision and postoperative antituberculosis treatment.

How to cite this article

Varghese BT, Sebastian P, Divya GM. An Unusual cause for Vocal Cord Palsy: Case Record. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2012;2(2):88-90.
Characteristics and sources of carbonaceous aerosols from Shanghai, China
Authors: Cao J.-J. , Zhu C.-S. , Tie X.-X. , Geng F.-H. , Xu H.-M. , Ho S. S. H. , Wang G.-H. , Han Y.-M. , Ho K.-F.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. An intensive investigation of carbonaceous PM2.5 and TSP (total suspended particles) from Pudong (China) was conducted as part of the MIRAGE-Shanghai (Megacities Impact on Regional and Global Environment) experiment in 2009. Data for organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), organic species, including C17 to C40 n-alkanes and 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and stable carbon isotopes OC (δ13COC) and EC (δ13CEC) were used to evaluate the aerosols' temporal variations and identify presumptive sources. High OC/EC ratios indicated a large fraction of secondary organic aerosol (SOA); high char/soot ratios indicated stronger contributions to EC from motor vehicles and coal combustion than biomass burning. Diagnostic ratios of PAHs indicated that much of the SOA was produced via coal combustion. Isotope abundances (δ13COC = −24.5 ± 0.8‰ and δ13CEC = −25.1 ± 0.6‰) indicated that fossil fuels were the most important source for carbonaceous PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter), with lesser impacts from biomass burning and natural sources. An EC tracer system and isotope mass balance calculations showed that the relative contributions to total carbon from coal combustion, motor vehicle exhaust, and SOA were 41%, 21%, and 31%; other primary sources such as marine, soil and biogenic emissions contributed 7%. Combined analyses of OC and EC, n-alkanes and PAHs, and stable carbon isotopes provide a new way to apportion the sources of carbonaceous particles.
The influence of biomass burning on the global distribution of selected non-methane organic compounds
Authors: Lewis A. C. , Evans M. J. , Hopkins J. R. , Punjabi S. , Read K. A. , Purvis R. M. , Andrews S. J. , Moller S. J. , Carpenter L. J. , Lee J. D. , Rickard A. R. , Palmer P. I. , Parrington M.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Forests fires are a significant source of chemicals to the atmosphere including numerous non-methane organic compounds (NMOCs). We report airborne measurement of hydrocarbons, acetone and methanol from >500 whole air samples collected over Eastern Canada, including interceptions of several different boreal biomass burning plumes. From these and concurrent measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) we derive fire emission ratios for 29 different organic species relative to the emission of CO. These range from 8.9 ± 3.2 ppt ppb−1 CO for methanol to 0.007 ± 0.004 ppt ppb−1 CO for cyclopentane. The ratios are in good to excellent agreement with literature values. Using the GEOS-Chem global 3-D chemical transport model (CTM) we show the influence of biomass burning on the global distributions of benzene, toluene, ethene and propene (species which are controlled for air quality purposes and sometimes used as indicative tracers of anthropogenic activity). Using our observationally derived emission ratios and the GEOS-Chem CTM, we show that biomass burning can be the largest fractional contributor to observed benzene, toluene, ethene and propene levels in many global locations. The widespread biomass burning contribution to atmospheric benzene, a heavily regulated air pollutant, suggests that pragmatic approaches are needed when setting air quality targets as tailpipe and solvent emissions decline in developed countries. We subsequently determine the extent to which the 28 global-status World Meteorological Organisation – Global Atmosphere Watch stations worldwide are influenced by biomass burning sourced benzene, toluene, ethene and propene as compared to their exposure to anthropogenic emissions.
Source attribution of light-absorbing impurities in seasonal snow across northern China
Authors: Zhang R. , Hegg D. A. , Huang J. , Fu Q.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Seasonal snow samples obtained at 46 sites in 6 provinces of China in January and February 2010 were analyzed for a suite of chemical species and these data are combined with previously determined concentrations of light-absorbing impurities (LAI), including all particles that absorb light in the 650–700 nm wavelength interval. The LAI, together with 14 other analytes, are used as input to a positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model to explore the sources of the LAI in the snow. The PMF analysis for the LAI sources is augmented with backward trajectory cluster analysis and the geographic locations of major source areas for the three source types. The two analyses are consistent and indicate that three factors/sources were responsible for the measured snow light absorption: a soil dust source, an industrial pollution source, and a biomass and biofuels burning source. Soil dust was the main source of the LAI, accounting for ~ 53% of the LAI on average.
Ten years trends in atmospheric mercury concentrations, meteorological effects and climate variables at Zeppelin, Ny-Ålesund
Authors: Berg T. , Pfaffhuber K. A. , Cole A. S. , Engelsen O. , Steffen A.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Results from ten years of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) measurements at Zeppelin Station, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, show no overall annual trend between 2000 and 2009. Seasonal trend analysis showed significantly decreasing trends in January, February, March and June and significantly increasing trends in May and July through December. Results showed that atmospheric mercury depletion events (AMDEs) were equally distributed between April and May with only a few having been observed in March and June. A negative correlation between AMDEs and temperature is reported and supports earlier observations that AMDEs tend to occur at low temperatures. Lower concentrations of GEM were seen at lower temperatures below a threshold of 0°C. The occurrence of AMDEs and wind direction were well correlated with the lowest GEM measured when the wind direction was from the Arctic Ocean region. Wind speed was found to not correlate with AMDEs, but the lowest GEM concentrations were observed at low wind speeds between 4 and 11 m s−1. AMDEs and relative humidity did not correlate well, but the lowest GEM levels appeared when the relative humidity was between 80 and 90%. Diurnal variation was observed especially during the month March and is likley due to daytime snow surface emission induced by solar radiation. Relationships between GEM concentration and the Northern Hemisphere climate indices were investigated to assess if these climate parameters might reflect different atmospheric conditions that enhance or reduce spring AMDE activity. No consistent pattern was observed.
Retrieval of subvisual cirrus cloud optical thickness from limb-scatter measurements
Authors: Wiensz J. T. , Degenstein D. A. , Lloyd N. D. , Bourassa A. E.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. We present a technique for estimating the optical thickness of subvisual cirrus clouds detected by OSIRIS (Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imaging System), a limb-viewing satellite instrument that measures scattered radiances from the UV to the near-IR. The measurement set is composed of a ratio of limb radiance profiles at two wavelengths that indicates the presence of cloud-scattering regions. Cross-sections and phase functions from an in situ database are used to simulate scattering by cloud-particles. With appropriate configurations discussed in this paper, the SASKTRAN successive-orders of scatter radiative transfer model is able to simulate accurately the in-cloud radiances from OSIRIS. Configured in this way, the model is used with a multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique (MART) to retrieve the cloud extinction profile for an assumed effective cloud particle size. The sensitivity of these retrievals to key auxiliary model parameters is shown, and it is shown that the retrieved extinction profile, for an assumed effective cloud particle size, models well the measured in-cloud radiances from OSIRIS. The greatest sensitivity of the retrieved optical thickness is to the effective cloud particle size. Since OSIRIS has an 11-yr record of subvisual cirrus cloud detections, the work described in this manuscript provides a very useful method for providing a long-term global record of the properties of these clouds.
Response of bacterioplankton activity in an Arctic fjord system to elevated pCO2: results from a mesocosm perturbation study
Authors: Piontek J. , Borchard C. , Sperling M. , Schulz K. G. , Riebesell U. , Engel A.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. The effect of elevated seawater carbon dioxide (CO2) on the activity of a natural bacterioplankton community in an Arctic fjord system was investigated by a mesocosm perturbation study in the frame of the European Project on Ocean Acidification (EPOCA). A pCO2 range of 175–1085 μatm was set up in nine mesocosms deployed in the Kongsfjorden (Svalbard). The activity of natural extracellular enzyme assemblages increased in response to acidification. Rates of β-glucosidase and leucine-aminopeptidase increased along the gradient of mesocosm pCO2. A decrease in seawater pH of 0.5 units almost doubled rates of both enzymes. Heterotrophic bacterial activity was closely coupled to phytoplankton productivity in this experiment. The bacterioplankton community responded to rising chlorophyll a concentrations after a lag phase of only a few days with increasing protein production and extracellular enzyme activity. Time-integrated primary production and bacterial protein production were positively correlated, strongly suggesting that higher amounts of phytoplankton-derived organic matter were assimilated by heterotrophic bacteria at increased primary production. Primary production increased under high pCO2 in this study, and it can be suggested that the efficient heterotrophic carbon utilisation had the potential to counteract the enhanced autotrophic CO2 fixation. However, our results also show that beneficial pCO2-related effects on bacterial activity can be mitigated by the top-down control of bacterial abundances in natural microbial communities.
The role of wind in hydrochorous mangrove propagule dispersal
Authors: Van der Stocken T. , De Ryck D. J. R. , Balke T. , Bouma T. J. , Dahdouh-Guebas F. , Koedam N.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Although wind has been recognized to be an important factor in the dispersal of hydrochorous mangrove propagules, and hence in the quantification of (meta)population dynamics, the species-specific sensitivity to wind effects have not been studied. We combined observations from a controlled experiment (flume tank) and in situ experiments to understand wind and water current contributions to dispersal potential as well as to estimate real dispersal ranges due to immediate response to tidal currents (two outgoing tides). This was done for 5 species with propagules differing in morphological and buoyancy properties (i.e. Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal, Heritiera littoralis and Xylocarpus granatum). The flume experiments revealed that the influence of wind depends on the density of a propagule (and hence its buoyancy characteristics) and that typical morphological characteristics of the dispersal unit are additionally important. H. littoralis propagules were influenced most, because on the one hand their low density (613.58 g l−1; n=10) enables them to float on top of the water surface, and on the other hand their "sailboat-like" structure provides a relatively large surface area. The X. granatum fruits appeared to be the least influenced by ambient wind conditions, explained by the smooth surface and spherical shape of which, because of the fruit's high density (890.05 g l−1; n=1), only a small part sticks above the water surface. Although the seeds of X. granatum are of a similar size class than H. littoralis propagules, they are (like the X. granatum fruits) largely submerged due to their high density (870.66 g l−1; n=8), hence catching less wind than H. littoralis propagules. The influence of wind on the dispersal of the horizontally floating C. tagal and R. mucronata dispersal units was strong, comparable to that of H. littoralis propagules. A differential effect of wind was found within elongated propagules, which directly follows from of the floating orientation of the propagules. While the dispersal path of vertically floating propagules was influenced by the strength and direction of the water currents and to a lesser extent by ambient wind conditions, the dispersal path of horizontally floating propagules was influenced by both strength and direction of the water currents and prevailing wind forces. To validate the flume results, propagules of C. tagal and R. mucronata were released during outgoing tide in a tidal creek in Gazi Bay (Kenya), followed by observation of their dispersal distance and direction, while knowing the actual dominant wind direction. In line with the flume results, this study showed that wind plays an important role in the dispersal distance of the propagules. The present study provides important mechanistic insight in the effect of wind on hydrochorous mangrove propagule dispersal, thereby yielding an essential step towards the construction and optimization of (particle based) hydrodynamic dispersal models.
Modern sedimentation patterns in Lake El'gygytgyn, NE Russia, derived from surface sediment and inlet streams samples
Authors: Wennrich V. , Francke A. , Dehnert A. , Juschus O. , Leipe T. , Vogt C. , Brigham-Grette J. , Minyuk P. S. , Melles M. ,   El'gygytgyn Science Party
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Lake El'gygytgyn/NE Russia holds a continuous 3.58 Ma sediment record, which is regarded as the most long-lasting climate archive of the terrestrial Arctic. Based on multi-proxy geochemical, mineralogical, and granulometric analyses of surface sediment, inlet stream and bedrock samples, supplemented by statistical methods, major processes influencing the modern sedimentation in the lake were investigated. Grain-size parameters and chemical elements linked to the input of feldspars from acidic bedrock indicate a wind-induced two-cell current system as major driver of sediment transport and accumulation processes in Lake El'gygytgyn. The distribution of mafic rock related elements in the sediment on the lake floor can be traced back to the input of weathering products of basaltic rocks in the catchment. Obvious similarities in the spatial variability of manganese and heavy metals indicate sorption or co-precipitation of these elements with Fe and Mn hydroxides and oxides. But the similar distribution of organic matter and clay contents might also point to a fixation to organic components and clay minerals. An enrichment of mercury in the inlet streams might be indicative of neotectonic activity around the lake. The results of this study add to the fundamental knowledge of the modern lake processes of Lake El'gygytgyn and its lake-catchment interactions, and thus, yield crucial insights for the interpretation of paleo-data from this unique archive.
Hydrological cycle over south and southeast Asian river basins as simulated by PCMDI/CMIP3 experiments
Authors: Hasson S. , Lucarini V. , Pascale S.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. We investigate how CMIP3 climate models describe the hydrological cycle over four major South and Southeast Asian river basins (Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra and Mekong) for the XX, XXI, and XXII centuries. For the XX century, models' simulated water balance and total runoff quantities are neither consistent with the observed mean river discharges nor among the models. Most of the models underestimate the water balance for the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Mekong basin and overestimate it for the Indus basin. The only modest inter-model agreement is found for the Indus basin in terms of precipitation, evaporation and the strength of the hydrological cycle and for the Brahmaputra basin in terms of evaporation. While some models show inconsistencies for the Indus and the Ganges basins, most of the models seem to conserve water at the river basin scale up to a good degree of approximation. Models agree on a negative change of the water balance for Indus and a positive change in the strength of the hydrological cycle, whereas for Brahmaputra, Mekong and Ganges, most of the models project a positive change in both quantities. Most of the models foresee an increase in the inter-annual variability of the water balance for the Ganges and Mekong basins which is consistent with the projected changes in the Monsoon precipitation. No considerable future change in the inter-annual variability of water balance is found for the Indus basin, characterized by a more complex meteorology, because its precipitation regime is determined not only by the summer monsoon but also by the winter mid-latitude disturbances.
Virtual industrial water usage and wastewater generation in the Middle East/North African region
Authors: Sakhel S. R. , Geissen S.-U. , Vogelpohl A.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. This study deals with the quantification of volumes of water usage, wastewater generation, virtual water export, and wastewater generation from export for eight export relevant industries present in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA). It shows that about 3400 million m3 of water is used per annum while around 793 million m3 of wastewater is generated from products that are meant for domestic consumption and export. The difference between volumes of water usage and wastewater generation is due to water evaporation or injecting underground (oil wells pressure maintenance). The wastewater volume generated from production represents a population equivalent of 15.5 million in terms of wastewater quantity and 30.4 million in terms of BOD. About 409 million m3 of virtual water flows from MENA to EU27 (resulting from export of eight commodities) which is equivalent to 12.1% of the water usage of those industries and Libya is the largest virtual water exporter (about 87 million m3). Crude oil and refined petroleum products represent about 89% of the total virtual water flow, fertilizers represent around 10% and 1% remaining industries. EU27 poses the greatest indirect pressure on the Kuwaiti hydrological system where the virtual water export represents about 96% of the actual renewable water resources in this country. The Kuwaiti crude oil water use in relation to domestic water withdrawal is about 89% which is highest among MENA countries. Pollution of water bodies, in terms of BOD, due to production is very relevant for crude oil, slaughterhouses, refineries, olive oil, and tanneries while pollution due to export to EU27 is most relevant for crude oil industry and olive oil mills.
Three attempts of earthquake prediction with satellite cloud images
Authors: Guangmeng G. , Jie Y.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Thermal anomalies detected from satellite data are widely reported. Nearly all the anomalies are reported after the quake. Here we report three earthquake predictions in Italy and Iran according to satellite cloud anomalies. These cloud anomalies usually show a linear pattern, stay there for hours and do not move with winds. According to these anomalies, we can give a rough estimation about impending earthquake activities. All the estimated dates and magnitudes are in good agreement with the earthquake facts, and the only unsatisfactory point is that the distance error is 100–300 km. Because the cloud anomaly is long, we can not reduce the distance error further. A possible way is to combine geophysical data and satellite data together to estimate the epicenter and this will increase the prediction accuracy.
Current state of glaciers in the tropical Andes: a multi-century perspective on glacier evolution and climate change
Authors: Rabatel A. , Francou B. , Soruco A. , Gomez J. , Cáceres B. , Ceballos J. L. , Basantes R. , Vuille M. , Sicart J.-E. , Huggel C. , Scheel M. , Lejeune Y. , Arnaud Y. , Collet M. , Condom T. , Consoli G. , Favier V. , Jomelli V. , Galarraga R. , Ginot P. , Maisincho L. , Mendoza J. , Ménégoz M. , Ramirez E. , Ribstein P. , Suarez W. , Villacis M. , Wagnon P.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. The aim of this paper is to provide the community with a comprehensive overview of the studies of glaciers in the tropical Andes conducted in recent decades leading to the current status of the glaciers in the context of climate change. In terms of changes in surface area and length, we show that the glacier retreat in the tropical Andes over the last three decades is unprecedented since the maximum extension of the Little Ice Age (LIA, mid-17th–early 18th century). In terms of changes in mass balance, although there have been some sporadic gains on several glaciers, we show that the trend has been quite negative over the past 50 yr, with a mean mass balance deficit for glaciers in the tropical Andes that is slightly more negative than the one computed on a global scale. A break point in the trend appeared in the late 1970s with mean annual mass balance per year decreasing from −0.2 m w.e. in the period 1964–1975 to −0.76 m w.e. in the period 1976–2010. In addition, even if glaciers are currently retreating everywhere in the tropical Andes, it should be noted that this is much more pronounced on small glaciers at low altitudes that do not have a permanent accumulation zone, and which could disappear in the coming years/decades. Monthly mass balance measurements performed in Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia show that variability of the surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean is the main factor governing variability of the mass balance at the decadal timescale. Precipitation did not display a significant trend in the tropical Andes in the 20th century, and consequently cannot explain the glacier recession. On the other hand, temperature increased at a significant rate of 0.10 °C decade−1 in the last 70 yr. The higher frequency of El Niño events and changes in its spatial and temporal occurrence since the late 1970s together with a warming troposphere over the tropical Andes may thus explain much of the recent dramatic shrinkage of glaciers in this part of the world.
Long Stem Cemented Revision Arthroplasty for Aseptic Loosening in Elderly Patients Produces Good Results, despite Significant Bone Loss
Authors: Harrison Timothy , Jones Henry Wynn , Darrah Clare , Warriner Gary , Tucker J. Keith
Published: January 2013

We assessed the results of long cemented stems in patients over 65 undergoing a first time revision hip arthroplasty for aseptic loosening.

103 patients were followed up for a minimum of five years after revision surgery; 45% had EndoKlinik C grade preoperative bone loss.

At final follow-up 31 patients had died, all but one with the prosthesis in situ. There were 71 revisions alive, one had been revised for a peri-prosthetic fracture. Of the 45 that had radiographs at a minimum of five years, three stems were probably or definitely loose according to the Harris classification. There was 92% patient satisfaction and a mean Oxford Hip Score (OHS) of 25/60 in the 59 patients that had not been revised and had full clinical follow-up.

Long-stem cemented revisions for aseptic loosening in elderly patients allow immediate postoperative weight bearing and have good radiological and clinical outcomes.
Asportazione Laparoscopica di Rene Policistico per via Retroperitoneale: Note di Tecnica
Authors: Parma Paolo , Samuelli Alessandro , Dall'Oglio Bruno
Published: January 2013

Introduction

We present our technique of laparoscopic nephrectomy with intact specimen extraction for patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

Materials and Methods

A 5-port retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to dissect the involved kidney, which was then removed intact through a Gibson modified incision.

Results

The operative time was 110 minutes. Blood loss accounted for 50 mL. There were no intra or post-operative complications. The hospital stay was 4 days.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic nephrectomy for ADKD is technically feasible and clinically safe. The advantages of these technique compared to transperitoneal laparoscopy are the quick access to the hilar vessels and the strict extraperitoneal route, which prevent the risk of sepsis.