bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using model reduction to predict the soil-surface C18OO flux: an example of representing complex biogeochemical dynamics in a computationally efficient manner
Authors: Riley W. J.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Earth system models (ESMs) must calculate large-scale interactions between the land and atmosphere while accurately characterizing fine-scale spatial heterogeneity in water, carbon, and other nutrient dynamics. We present here a high-dimension model representation (HDMR) approach that allows detailed process representation of a coupled carbon and water tracer (the δ18O value of the soil-surface CO2 flux (δ Fs)) in a computationally tractable manner. δ Fs depends on the δ18O value of soil water, soil moisture and temperature, and soil CO2 production (all of which are depth dependent), and the δ18O value of above-surface CO2. We tested the HDMR approach over a growing season in a C4-dominated pasture using two vertical soil discretizations. The difference between the HDMR approach and the full model solution in the three-month integrated isoflux was less than 0.2% (0.5 mol m−2 ‰), and the approach is up to 100 times faster than the full numerical solution. This type of model reduction approach allows representation of complex coupled biogeochemical processes in regional and global climate models and can be extended to characterize subgrid-scale spatial heterogeneity.
Air quality modelling using the Met Office Unified Model (AQUM OS24-26): model description and initial evaluation
Authors: Savage N. H. , Agnew P. , Davis L. S. , Ordóñez C. , Thorpe R. , Johnson C. E. , O'Connor F. M. , Dalvi M.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. The on-line air quality model AQUM (Air Quality in the Unified Model) is a limited-area forecast configuration of the Met Office Unified Model which uses the UKCA (UK Chemistry and Aerosols) sub-model. AQUM has been developed with two aims: as an operational system to deliver regional air quality forecasts and as a modelling system to conduct air quality studies to inform policy decisions on emissions controls. This paper presents a description of the model and the methods used to evaluate the performance of the forecast system against the automated UK surface network of air quality monitors. Results are presented of evaluation studies conducted for a year-long period of operational forecast trials and several past cases of poor air quality episodes. The results demonstrate that AQUM tends to over-predict ozone (~8 μg m−3 mean bias for the year-long forecast), but has a good level of responsiveness to elevated ozone episode conditions – a characteristic which is essential for forecasting poor air quality episodes. AQUM is shown to have a negative bias for PM10, while for PM2.5 the negative bias is much smaller in magnitude. An analysis of speciated PM2.5 data during an episode of elevated particulate matter (PM) suggests that the PM bias occurs mainly in the coarse component. The sensitivity of model predictions to lateral boundary conditions (LBCs) has been assessed by using LBCs from two different global reanalyses and by comparing the standard, single-nested configuration with a configuration having an intermediate European nest. We conclude that, even with a much larger regional domain, the LBCs remain an important source of model error for relatively long-lived pollutants such as ozone. To place the model performance in context we compare AQUM ozone forecasts with those of another forecasting system, the MACC (Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate) ensemble, for a 5-month period. An analysis of the variation of model skill with forecast lead time is presented and the insights this provides to the relative sources of error in air quality modelling are discussed.
The mathematics of the total alkalinity–pH equation: pathway to robust and universal solution algorithms
Authors: Munhoven G.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. The total alkalinity–pH equation, which relates total alkalinity and pH for a given set of total concentrations of the acid-base systems that contribute to total alkalinity in a given water sample, is reviewed and its mathematical properties established. We prove that the equation function is strictly monotone and always has exactly one positive root. Different commonly used approximations are discussed and compared. An original method to derive appropriate initial values for the iterative solution of the cubic polynomial equation based upon carbonate-borate-alkalinity is presented. We then review different methods that have been used to solve the total alkalinity–pH equation, with a main focus on biogeochemical models. The shortcomings and limitations of these methods are made out and discussed. We then present two variants of a new, robust and universally convergent algorithm to solve the total alkalinity–pH equation. This algorithm does not require any a priori knowledge of the solution. The iterative procedure is shown to converge from any starting value to the physical solution. The extra computational cost for the convergence security is only 10–15% compared to the fastest algorithm in our test series.
Improving operational land surface model canopy evapotranspiration in Africa using a direct remote sensing approach
Authors: Marshall M. , Tu K. , Funk C. , Michaelsen J. , Williams P. , Williams C. , Ardö J. , Boucher M. , Cappelaere B. , de Grandcourt A. , Nickless A. , Nouvellon Y. , Scholes R. , Kutsch W.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Climate change is expected to have the greatest impact on the world's economically poor. In the Sahel, a climatically sensitive region where rain-fed agriculture is the primary livelihood, expected decreases in water supply will increase food insecurity. Studies on climate change and the intensification of the water cycle in sub-Saharan Africa are few. This is due in part to poor calibration of modeled evapotranspiration (ET), a key input in continental-scale hydrologic models. In this study, a remote sensing model of transpiration (the primary component of ET), driven by a time series of vegetation indices, was used to substitute transpiration from the Global Land Data Assimilation System realization of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Oregon State University, Air Force, and Hydrology Research Laboratory at National Weather Service Land Surface Model (GNOAH) to improve total ET model estimates for monitoring purposes in sub-Saharan Africa. The performance of the hybrid model was compared against GNOAH ET and the remote sensing method using eight eddy flux towers representing major biomes of sub-Saharan Africa. The greatest improvements in model performance were at humid sites with dense vegetation, while performance at semi-arid sites was poor, but better than the models before hybridization. The reduction in errors using the hybrid model can be attributed to the integration of a simple canopy scheme that depends primarily on low bias surface climate reanalysis data and is driven primarily by a time series of vegetation indices.
Thermodynamic limits of hydrologic cycling within the Earth system: concepts, estimates and implications
Authors: Kleidon A. , Renner M.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. The hydrologic cycle results from the combination of energy conversions and atmospheric transport, and the laws of thermodynamics set limits to both. Here, we apply thermodynamics to derive the limits of the strength of hydrologic cycling within the Earth system and the properties and processes that shape these limits. We set up simple models to derive analytical expressions of the limits of evaporation and precipitation in relation to vertical and horizontal differences in solar radiative forcing. These limits result from a fundamental trade-off by which a greater evaporation rate reduces the temperature gradient and thus the driver for atmospheric motion that exchanges moistened air from the surface with the drier air aloft. The limits on hydrologic cycling thus reflect the strong interaction between the hydrologic flux, motion, and the driving gradient. Despite the simplicity of the models, they yield estimates for the limits of hydrologic cycling that are within the observed magnitude, suggesting that the global hydrologic cycle operates near its maximum strength. We close with a discussion of how thermodynamic limits can provide a better characterization of the interaction of vegetation and human activity with hydrologic cycling.
Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Ruud Veldhuizen
Authors: Huang Eva Y.
Published: March 2013

Dr. Ruud Veldhuizen is a scientist at Lawson Research Institute in conjunction with St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ontario, as well as an associate professor at Western University. He currently teaches 3rd year Physiology and supervises the 3rd year Physiology lab as well. At Lawson, his research focuses on the pulmonary surfactant system and its significance to patients who suffer damage from mechanical lung ventilation. WURJ member, Eva Huang, had the chance to interview him to learn more about his research, his path to Western and his career.
Introduction: Understanding social media monopolies
Authors: Patelis Korinna , Hatzopoulos Pavlos
Published: March 2013

The ubiquitous presence of social media in everyday life has not been met by equally pervasive research efforts for their critical understanding, due mostly to the increasing specialization and fragmentation of academic research. Unlike Us: Understanding Social Media Monopolies attempts to set out a research platform that overcomes both the dominant quantitative analyses and the privacy paradigm in current social media research.
Facebook.com text: Industrialising personal data production
Authors: Patelis Korinna
Published: March 2013

This article examines Facebook.com as a cultural text. It casts a critical eye on the stories told by the Facebook monopoly interphase, focusing on how these intergrate commerce with communications. It struggles with the text’s key abstractions arguing that Facebook industrialises personalised data production by demanding the constant production on customised communcation objects.
Society doesn't exist
Authors: Dean Jodi
Published: March 2013

This paper considers three versions of the claim that society doesn’t existence in order to investigate the problem of the idea of the social in social media. It identifies a convergence between the claims that society doesn’t exist and the social media we have. Yet it notes a disjunction between the media we have and the arguments of net critics and activists who say the problem is centralization and that what we need is individual control. Against this position, the paper argues for the relation between dispersion and centralization and the political potential manifest in centralization insofar as it makes apparent the social relations between people at the core of production.
Silence, delirium, lies?
Authors: Bassett Caroline
Published: March 2013

One way to undermine social media monopolies is to refuse to contribute to the communicational economy they are based upon: don’t generate exploitable signals, stay quiet — and ask how this might be developed as a common response. Given the naturalized assumption that ‘more communication’ will automatically produce ‘more freedom’, suggestions, like this one, that are based on doing less of it might provoke hostility. However, in the case of the social media industries, communication is cultivated not in the interests of freedom, but in the interests of growth; social media wants to capture more of you through your transactions. Moreover, through this process communications are not made ‘more free’ but tend rather to become less open — certainly in the sense that they are commoditized. With this in mind, this paper asks if a media politics might be generated based on the potentials of silence, on speaking in tongues — and on relying on the resources of metaphorical language rather than on learning to speak or write in ways more amenable to code.
Bioprosthetic Heart Valves: Impact of Implantation on Biomaterials
Authors: Singhal Pooja , Luk Adriana , Butany Jagdish
Published: March 2013

Prosthetic heart valves are commonly used in the treatment of valvular heart disease. Mechanical valves are more durable than the bioprosthetic valves; however, the need for long-term anticoagulant therapy renders them unsuitable for some patient groups. In this paper we discuss the different types and models of bioprosthesis, and in particular, pericardial bioprosthesis. We also discuss the preimplantation preparation processes, as well as their postimplantation changes and modes of failure.
Variation and genetic structure of Serratula lycopifolia populations (Vill.) Kern. (Asteraceae) in Poland and adjacent regions
Authors: Cieślak Elżbieta
Published: March 2013

AFLPs were used to analyze the genetic variability of Serratula lycopifolia, one of the rarest plant species in Central and Western Europe, in six populations from the Wyżyna Małopolska upland (Poland), White Carpathian Mts (Slovakia and Czech Republic) and Podolian Upland (Ukraine). The results of polymorphism, PCoA and neighbor-net analyzes showed similar and relatively low genetic variation and high genetic similarity of individuals within each Polish population but there were differences between those populations. The population from Slovakia also showed comparatively high intrapopulation homogeneity and evident genetic separation from the other studied populations. Intrapopulation genetic variation was higher in the Czech and Ukrainian populations. However, AMOVA analyses revealed no significant differentiation at population and regional levels. The estimated low genetic diversity in the populations from Poland and Slovakia may be due to genetic processes such as genetic drift and inbreeding in local populations resulting from their low abundance, and does not seem characteristic of the species as a whole. These genetic analyzes make it clear that the Polish and Slovakian populations need support programmes to maintain their genetic variation. Measures should focus on increasing the number of individuals in the populations and on protecting their habitat.
Acceptable microbial risk: Cost–benefit analysis of a boil water order for Cryptosporidium
Authors: Ryan Michael O. , Gurian Patrick L. , Haas Charles N. , Rose Joan B. , Duzinski Phillip J.
Published: March 2013

Water treatment plants typically issue a boil water order (BWO) to a potentially affected populace when Cryptosporidium is detected in the finished water. Although BWOs involve costs that may not be justified for very low risks of infection, there is no predetermined risk level or environmental concentration that triggers such an order. In this study, a cost–benefit analysis was used to identify a threshold level of risk for issuing a BWO. A decision tree was constructed, and the threshold level of risk at which the expected benefits of a BWO exceed expected costs was identified. An exponential dose–response model was used to determine the dose of Cryptosporidium oocysts that corresponds to the threshold risk level. Results suggest that a daily risk of nine illnesses out of 10,000 people exposed would justify a BWO. Given typical 3‐log removal of oocysts during treatment, this risk level would correspond to a finished water concentration of 0.046 oocysts/L and a raw water concentration of 46 oocysts/L.
Spectral evaluation of watershed DOM and DBP precursors
Authors: Beggs Katherine M.H. , Billica Judith A. , Korak Julie A. , Rosario‐Ortiz Fernando L. , McKnight Diane M. , Summers R. Scott
Published: March 2013

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) quantity and character from eight locations, including rivers and managed‐flow sites, within two northern Colorado Rocky Mountain watersheds were examined using fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopy to characterize changes in DOM quantity and quality. River sites exhibited strong seasonal variability, containing higher concentrations of more aromatic DOM during spring runoff. Reservoir‐influenced, managed sites had year‐round stability and were less aromatic compared with the rivers. Total trihalomethane formation potential (TTHMFP) was used as a measure of DOM chlorine reactivity. Fluorescence compositional metrics (fluorescence index [FI] and Peak C/UV340 ratios) correlated with TTHMFP yields. River sites showed increased TTHMFP concentrations during runoff but little change in TTHMFP yield. Managed sites showed little seasonal variation in both TTHMFP and TTHMFP yield. The results show that fluorescence parameters provide additional information on DOM character not available from conventional measures and may be useful in facilitating watershed management and treatment decisions.
On-Membrane Digestion Technology for Muscle Proteomics
Authors: Ohlendieck Kay
Published: March 2013

High-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and in-gel digestion are routinely used for large-scale protein separation and peptide generation in mass spectrometry-based proteomics, respectively. However, the combination of isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis in the second dimension is not suitable for the proper separation of integral proteins and high-molecular-mass proteins. In addition, in-gel trypsination may not result in a high degree of efficient digestion levels for the production of large numbers of peptides in the case of certain protein species. The application of gradient one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and on-membrane digestion can overcome these technical problems and be extremely helpful for the comprehensive identification of proteins that are underrepresented in routine two-dimensional gel electrophoretic approaches. This review critically examines the general application of on-membrane digestion techniques in proteomics and its recent application for the identification of very large integral membrane proteins from skeletal muscle by mass spectrometry. This includes the discussion of proteomic studies that have focused on the proteomic characterization of the membrane cytoskeletal protein dystrophin from sarcolemma vesicles and the ryanodine receptor calcium release channel of the sarcoplasmic reticulum from skeletal muscle.
Periodontal Barrier Membranes: A Review with Case Report
Authors: Gupta K. K. , Srivastava Amitabh , Kumar Vinod , Kumar Snehi
Published: March 2013

Periodontal regeneration is healing after periodontal surgery that results in the formation of new attachment apparatus, consisting of cementum,periodontal ligament(PDL) and alveolar bone. Although the goal of complete and predictable regeneration still remains elusive, many techniques and materials have been developed that show good clinical and histologic outcomes.Advancements in periodontal regenerative armamentarium have encouraged clinicians to aggressively seek this therapeutic goal. Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is effective in halting tissue and bone destruction and promoting new tissue and bone formation. Reconstructive dental professionals are constantly looking for an edge that jump starts the healing process to maximize predictability as well as quality and quantity of regenerated bone.
Adsorptive Removal of Methyl Red from Aqueous Solution onto Charred and Aminated Sugarcane Waste
Authors: Kour Jagjit , Pandey Shankar , Homagai Puspa Lal , Pokhrel Megh Raj , Ghimire Kedar Nath
Published: March 2013

Adsorptive removal of Methyl Red (MR) from aqueous solution onto chemically modified charred sugarcane waste (CSW) and aminated sugarcane waste (ASW) has been investigated. The surface modification was characterized by FTIR, SEM, elemental analysis and Boehm titration. The effect of pH, contact time and MR concentrations were studied by batch equilibrium method. Maximum dye removal was observed at pH 2 onto CSW while that for ASW at pH 7. The dye can be quantitatively removed onto the surface of these adsorbents at a contact time of 3 h. Maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) for the CSW and ASW were found to be 125.0 mg/g and 142.85 mg/g, respectively. Adsorption kinetic data were tested using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intra-particle diffusion models. Kinetic studies revealed that the adsorptive removal of the dye onto the adsorbents followed pseudo-second order kinetics model. The obtained results indicated an excellent alternative for the treatment of dye contaminated wastewater using such chemically modified sugarcane waste at low cost with better efficiency.
A Study of Nitrate Uptake from Aqueous Solutions Using Isotactic Polypropylene-based Anion Exchangers
Authors: Banyal Sunil K. , Chauhan Ghanshyam S. , Sharma Rajiv K.
Published: March 2013

Two series of efficient and cost-effective anion exchangers possessing biocidal properties are reported for the removal of nitrate ions from aqueous solutions. Isotactic polypropylene (IPP) was modified by graft copolymerization with poly(4-vinyl pyridine) using γ-rays as initiator. The graft copolymers were functionalized further by reaction with sodium 2-bromoethane sulphonate or 2-Chloroethanol to generate, respectively, the zwitterionic or choline-analogous structure on the IPP backbone. The functionalized graft copolymers have exchangeable Cl- or Br- ions and possess antimicrobial properties due to their polycationic character. These exhibited structure-property relationship when evaluated as anion exchangers for NO3- ions of which the maximum was removed from the feed solution with the graft copolymer having the lowest percent grafting. But the nature of the counter anion present did not exhibit much difference in the nitrate uptake behaviour. A parametric study, to evaluate the effect of different conditions on nitrate uptake, was carried as a function of contact time, temperature, pH of medium and NO3- concentration. A high maximum exchange capacity of 14.77 mg/g and 13.62 mg/g was observed, respectively for the graft copolymers having Br- and Cl- as the counter anions, at pH 5.0, 35 ºC, and 20 ppm of the nitrate ions after ten cycles. The materials also exhibited good reusability up to ten cycles. The kinetics and mechanism of nitrate removal was studied and the data was found to fit the pseudo-second order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm.
Processos de pesquisa e de estudo e a formação de professores: alguns aspectos teórico-metodológicos
Authors: De Araújo Penitente Luciana Aparecida , Soares Del-Masso Maria Candida , De Castro Rosane Michelli
Published: March 2013

Tanto a pesquisa e a extensão universitária como as experiências vivenciadas pelos alunos assumem papel importante para a formação de professores. Trazer as questões do cotidiano escolar para serem analisadas pelos alunos além de favorecer a aproximação entre a teoria e a prática permite que essas questões didáticas sejam analisadas dentro de um contexto escolar específico, contextualizando e historicizando-as. Acrescido a isso, permite analisar questões do ensino na sua inter-relação com os aspectos organizacionais e com os referentes à comunidade escolar. A partir desses aspectos e considerando nossa prática na docência, pretendemos neste artigo abordar aspectos teórico-metodológicos de processos de pesquisa e de estudo que, a nosso ver, importam e agregam em qualidade à formação de professores tanto em nível inicial quanto continuada. Utilizamos os termos pesquisa e estudo, pois acreditamos que para o desenvolvimento de uma pesquisa é fundamental a ênfase metodológica no processo de estudo.
El oficio de enseñar: sobre el quehacer, el saber y el sentir de los docentes argentinos
Authors: Alliaud Andrea , Vezub Lea
Published: March 2013

Los cambios acelerados que experimentan tanto el entorno escolar, la sociedad, como los propios contextos institucionales y formativos, colocan en el centro de la escena al docente; interpelando sus saberes, sus estrategias de enseñanza y sus identidades históricamenteconstruidas bajo el amparo del programa institucional moderno. En este marco hemos indagado de qué manera los docentes perciben su tarea, cuáles son los rasgos a partirde los cuales definen su quehacer, qué saberes reivindican como propios y en qué fuentes descansa su satisfacción profesional. El artículo resume parte de los resultados de una investigación realizada en 2011 con docentes de nivel primario y secundario que trabajan en escuelas de la Argentina. A través de la administración de un cuestionario estructurado, el proyecto exploró ciertos núcleos de sentido en torno a los que hoy se reestructura el oficiode enseñar; con la finalidad de detectar aspectos problemáticos, emblemáticos y comunes que atraviesan y ponen en tensión las dimensiones del saber profesional docente. En esta oportunidad se presentan algunos de los datos obtenidos organizados en torno a tres núcleos:el quehacer del docente, los saberes necesarios para la tarea y los sentimientos que ésta despierta. La investigación y el análisis crítico de estas cuestiones son fundamentales para repensar la formación y el desarrollo profesional docente.
Formação em Pedagogia e universo de atuação docente nos anos iniciais
Authors: De Almeida Benedita , A. Antonio Clésio , Nesi Francischett Mafalda , Ghedini Cecília Maria , Pereira Pedroso André
Published: March 2013

A formação docente para os anos iniciais do ensino fundamental, em curso de Pedagogia, é o foco deste texto, que se tece a partir da relação entre o perfil do profissional para a docência nessa etapa da educação básica e as condições de efetivação da formação do pedagogo. Os resultados decorrem de investigação com professores egressos de um curso de Pedagogia de universidade pública do Sudoeste do Paraná. Fundamentando-se na perspectiva histórico-cultural do desenvolvimento humano, considera a universidade como o espaço formativo da docência e toma como referência a relação entre formação de professores e o universo de atuação docente, para apresentar questões relevantes desse campo de formação, que solicitam encaminhamentos para a melhora da educação brasileira.
Formação inicial de professores da educação básica no Brasil: trajetória e perspectivas
Authors: Oliveira Marins Azevedo Rosa , Ghedin Evandro , Silva-Forsberg Maria Clara , Menezes Gonzaga Amarildo
Published: March 2013

Discute-se a formação inicial de professores da educação básica, procurando evidenciar as exigências dessa formação, bem como a formação oferecida e, consequentemente, o papel do professor no contexto da escola. É um estudo, numa perspectiva histórico-crítica, que compõe o referencial teórico de uma pesquisa de doutorado, no qual se partiu dos modelos de formação oferecidos aos professores no Brasil, fazendo uma breve trajetória dessa formação desde as primeiras iniciativas institucionalizadas até os dias atuais, procurando apontar algumas perspectivas. Para tanto, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa documental, a partir da produção científica publicada em livros, trabalhos apresentados em anais de evento e revistas da área educacional, além de dissertações e teses. A partir das leituras, foram elaborados fichamentos e resenhas que possibilitaram direcionar as discussões, assumindo-se a hermenêutica crítica como horizonte metodológico. Com isso, pode- -se afirmar que nos últimos 40 anos a formação de professores tornou-se uma temática central nas discussões no cenário acadêmico brasileiro, com mudanças significativas nas exigências da formação e no papel do professor, no entanto, a formação oferecida permanece sem alterações significativas. Como perspectiva, o cenário atual aponta a necessidade urgente de além de pensar a formação de dentro da profissão, organizá-la a partir de programas de desenvolvimento profissional docente e reconstrução do espaço acadêmico de formação, articulando-a ao debate sociopolítico da educação.
Massificação cultural, práticas educativas e autonomia social
Authors: Fabiano Luiz Hermenegildo , Alves da Silva Franciele
Published: March 2013

O recorte proposto por esse estudo analisa aspectos fundamentais sobre a formação cultural constituída sob a lógica do capitalismo tardio. Deriva desse contexto, a incorporação de valores de naturalização ideológica e de regressão social. Os pressupostos teórico-metodológicos da Teoria Crítica, desenvolvida pelos pensadores frankfurtianos, especialmente as contribuições de Theodor Adorno e Max Horkheimer sustentam esse veio de análise. Tal abordagem incide sobre a racionalidade técnica dominante no contexto da sociedade industrial e suas implicações formativas na constituição da consciência social. Num momento histórico em que a mídia tem assumido também um papel formativo na sociedade, é fundamental e urgente uma discussão crítica sobre a interferência da indústria cultural nos processos educativos. Em vista disso, as relações sociais orientadas pela lógica industrial mostram-se uma temática pertinente à formação de professores, cuja prática é cotidianamente influenciada pela massificação resultante desse modelo de produção material. O enfoque da análise proposta viabiliza uma instrumentação teórica que capacita a reflexão como forma de intervenção nas convenções ideológicas que naturalizam o modelo da organização social vigente. A reflexão, nesse sentido, torna-se prática educativa enquanto ação crítica do comprometimento formativo e cultural da sociedade contemporânea.
INCLUSÃO DE ALUNOS COM DEFICIÊNCIA NA ESCOLA PÚBLICA: AS REPRESENTAÇÕES SOCIAIS DE PROFESSORAS
Authors: Bezerra Machado Laêda , Rodrigues de Albuquerque Ednea
Published: March 2013

Este artigo analisa uma das dimensões do conteúdo das representações sociais de inclusão escolar de professoras da rede municipal do Jaboatão dos Guararapes (PE). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida com 43 docentes de turmas regulares que recebem alunos com deficiência.O suporte teórico do estudo é a teoria das representações sociais e o procedimento de coleta foi a entrevista semiestruturada. As informações foram interpretadas à luz da análise de conteúdo. Dos resultados, focalizamos a categoria resistências e impossibilidades para realizar inclusão como forte conteúdo representacional. As análises nos levam a admitir que não se faz inclusão apenas com boa vontade e legislação avançada. Promovê-la implica garantir aos alunos reais condições de aprendizagem e desenvolvimento social. Para isso, é preciso que a agenda das políticas públicas de educação esteja atenta às representações sociais dos responsáveis diretos pela efetivação da inclusão escolar: os professores.
Blepharoplasty in Ageing Lids
Authors: Kabra Ruchi , Trivedi Nitin , Mehta Deepak
Published: March 2013

Blepharoplasty is a common aesthetic procedure performed among affluent Asians. The most common group of population addressed with this surgery consists of elderly patients. Blepharoplasty is about sculpturing and contouring of the upper lid. As with any cosmetic surgery, patient expectations are high and sometimes unrealistic, hence it is of paramount importance to thoroughly understand, evaluate and establish the plan of surgery. The aim of this article is to highlight the pathophysiological changes occurring in ageing lids and the various techniques for perfecting upper and lower lid blepharoplasty.
Integrated Laboratories to Study Aseismic and Seismic Faulting
Authors: Collettini Cristiano , Chiaraluce Lauro
Published: March 2013

The extent to which earthquake phenomena can be accurately assessed depends on how well the underlying physical conditions and processes are understood. But what methodologies are available to investigate processes occurring at a depth of several kilometers in the Earth's crust?
Consider Nominating a Woman for an AGU Award
Authors: OConnell Suzanne
Published: March 2013

There are many ways to acknowledge scholarly achievement. One of the most prestigious is through professional society awards. Such awards recognize the achievements of society members and are important for career success. Any AGU member, even student members, can nominate someone to be a Fellow or awardee. In fact, some award, medal, and prize nominations are even open to the public.
The Role of the Agulhas System in Regional and Global Climate
Authors: de Ruijter Wilhelmus P. M. , Beal Lisa , Biastoch Arne , Zahn Rainer
Published: March 2013

The AGU Chapman Conference on the Agulhas system was the first held on the African continent. There was a feeling of excitement among participants about the great diversity of ongoing research related to the Agulhas Current system, including its role in global and regional climate, its possible influence on human origins in southern Africa, its link to the Madagascar phytoplankton bloom, and its influence on South Atlantic hurricane development (Catarina) through warming related to Agulhas leakage over the past decades.
Improving Surface Mass Balance Over Ice Sheets and Snow Depth on Sea Ice
Authors: Koenig Lora , Box Jason , Kurtz Nathan
Published: March 2013

Surface mass balance (SMB) over ice sheets and snow on sea ice (SOSI) are important components of the cryosphere. Large knowledge gaps remain in scientists’ abilities to monitor SMB and SOSI, including insufficient measurements and difficulties with satellite retrievals. On ice sheets, snow accumulation is the sole mass gain to SMB, and meltwater runoff can be the dominant single loss factor in extremely warm years such as 2012. SOSI affects the growth and melt cycle of the Earth's polar sea ice cover. The summer of 2012 saw the largest satellite‐recorded melt area over the Greenland ice sheet and the smallest satellite‐recorded Arctic sea ice extent, making this meeting both timely and relevant.
Scientific Drilling in the Southwest Pacific Ocean
Authors: Exon Neville , Gallagher Stephen , Seton Maria
Published: March 2013

Recent geophysical surveys and geological studies in the southwest Pacific Ocean have improved scientists’ understanding of geological evolution and helped to crystallize new research goals. In the current phase of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), there have been five regional expeditions: Canterbury Basin Sea Level (Expedition 317), Wilkes Land Glacial History off Antarctica (Expedition 318), Great Barrier Reef Environmental Changes (Expedition 325), South Pacific Gyre Subseafloor Life (Expedition 329), and Louisville Seamount Trail (Expedition 330). Of six current IODP proposals, four are ready to drill. To review the latest research in the region, briefly outline possible future IODP expeditions, and set up working groups to develop compelling new drilling proposals in the global science context, a workshop was organized at the University of Sydney with a diverse group of 80 scientists. As the JOIDES Resolution may be in the region fairly soon, the workshop participants agreed on the urgent need to build strong science proposals.
Assessing black carbon's effects on climate
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: March 2013

Black carbon aerosol, commonly known as soot, plays an important role in Earth's climate system by absorbing solar radiation, affecting cloud processes, and influencing melting of snow and ice. In fact, after carbon dioxide, black carbon is the second most important individual climate forcing agent in the industrial era, a new study indicates. Large sources of black carbon emissions include burning of forests, industrial and residential burning of coal and biomass for fuel, and burning of diesel fuels for transportation.
Modeling complex systems in the geosciences
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: March 2013

Many geophysical phenomena can be described as complex systems, involving phenomena such as extreme or “wild” events that often do not follow the Gaussian distribution that would be expected if the events were simply random and uncorrelated. For instance, some geophysical phenomena like earthquakes show a much higher occurrence of relatively large values than would a Gaussian distribution and so are examples of the “Noah effect” (named by Benoit Mandelbrot for the exceptionally heavy rain in the biblical flood). Other geophysical phenomena are examples of the “Joseph effect,” in which a state is especially persistent, such as a spell of multiple consecutive hot days (heat waves) or several dry summers in a row. The Joseph effect was named after the biblical story in which Joseph's dream of seven fat cows and seven thin ones predicted 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of drought.
For U.S. biomes, climate change will decrease vegetative productivity
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: March 2013

One recurrently forecast effect of global climate change is that, in general, precipitation patterns will become more extreme, with fewer, larger storms and longer dry spells in between. The aftermath of this shift, borne out by the effect the changing water availability will have on vegetative productivity, however, is less well known. Previous research showed that productivity changes with the total annual precipitation, but the measured effect of a shift to a more extreme distribution is less consistent. Research seeking to understand this aspect of the changing precipitation pattern question has typically been conducted through small‐scale or short‐duration intervention experiments, where the availability of rainwater is artificially manipulated. This makes extrapolating the research to other climes or biomes difficult.
Impact of hepatitis C virus infection on clinical outcome in recipients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Nakasone Hideki , Kurosawa Saiko , Yakushijin Kimikazu , Taniguchi Shuichi , Murata Makoto , Ikegame Kazuhiro , Kobayashi Takeshi , Eto Tetsuya , Miyamura Koichi , Sakamaki Hisashi , Morishima Yasuo , Nagamura Tokiko , Suzuki Ritsuro , Fukuda Takahiro
Published: March 2013

The impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on outcomes following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains a matter of debate. We have retrospectively examined the significance of HCV infection among recipients who received allogeneic HCT, using a Japan transplant outcome registry database between 2006 and 2009. Among 7,831 recipients, 136 were HCV‐positive. The rate of hematopoietic recovery was lower in the HCV‐positive group (neutrophil recovery of 500 × 106/L or higher: 79% vs. 87% at Day 30, P = 0.087; platelet recovery of 50 × 109/L or higher: 57% vs. 65% at Day 60, P = 0.012). The HCV‐positive group had a significantly higher incidence of nonrelapse mortality 38% vs. 25% at 2 years, P < 0.01) and inferior overall survival (41% vs. 51% at 2 years, P < 0.01). A multivariate analysis revealed that HCV seropositivity was associated with an independent risk for higher nonrelapse mortality (hazard ratio: 1.65, P < 0.01) and inferior overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.39, P < 0.01). The incidences of death due to hepatic problems (8% vs. 2%, P < 0.01), bacterial infection (10% vs. 4%, P < 0.01), or graft failure (5% vs. 2%, P = 0.084) tended to be higher in the HCV‐positive group. HCV infection had an adverse impact on the clinical outcome following HCT, especially in the setting of unrelated transplantation. Careful evaluation before embarking on HCT and intensive assessment against complications are warranted in HCV‐infected recipients. Am. J. Hematol. 88:477–484, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of natural inorganic impurity on the synthesis of poly(L‐lactic acid), properties and nanofabrication
Authors: Pavel Kucharczyk , Miroslava Urbánková , Petr Stloukal , Marek Koutný , Vladimir Sedlarik
Published: March 2013

This work is focused on determination of the effect of a calcium‐based inorganic impurity originating from biotechnological L‐lactic acid production from cheese whey on the synthesis of poly(L‐lactic acid). The influence of the impurity was investigated in the range of 0 to 1 wt % and the product properties were studied by analytical techniques GPC, FTIR‐ATR, acid end group analysis and DSC. The final product was used to prepare submicron particles, which were analyzed by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Results show a moderate reduction in molecular weight in connection with an increase in the amount of the impurity up to 0.75 wt %. Further increase in the concentration of the impurity caused decomposition. Investigating the thermal properties reveals a noticeable reduction in the melting temperature and a slight decrease in glass transition temperature. The prepared submicron particles had a Z‐average diameter of between 280 and 520 nm, depending on the emulsifying system, and the presence of the inorganic impurity seems to play no role during particle formation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Photohydrolysis of cotton cellulose for producing bioethanol
Authors: Hong Kyung Hwa , Sun Gang
Published: March 2013

Almost one third of the waste textiles produced from manufacturing clothing and other textile products are made of cotton. Hence, a huge amount of waste cotton is produced every year. Therefore, we aimed to develop an efficient way for conversion of cotton from waste textile into some beneficial resource in an environmentally safe manner. In this study, it was suggested a novel way to break down cotton cellulose into source of biomass glucose through a mild hypochlorite oxidation process (ca., 0.5 wt % of NaClO and 0.0125 wt % NaBr) under UV‐irradiation. And, the UV light‐NaBr‐NaClO oxidation system was seen to induce exo‐cleavage on β(1 → 4)‐glycosidic bonds in cellulose polymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Preparation and enhanced electrochemical properties of Ag/polypyrrole composites electrode materials
Authors: Liu Jun , Li Mei , Zhang Yunqiang , Yang Lanlan , Yao Jinshao
Published: March 2013

Ag/polypyrrole (PPy) composites were synthesized with different dispersants via interface polymerization method. The morphology of the composites was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the results showed that the dispersant had strong effect on the morphology of the obtained composites. The structure of the products was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The specific capacitance and impedence of Ag/PPy composites electrode was evaluated through charge/discharge measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. Electrochemical performances indicated that Ag/PPy composite electrode used polyvinyl alcohol as dispersant exhibited the highest specific capacitance of 635.5 F/g at a current density of 2.45 mA/g, which provided potential application as supercapacitor materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
The water vapor sorption behavior of a galactomannan cellulose nanocomposite film analyzed using parallel exponential kinetics and the Kelvin–Voigt viscoelastic model
Authors: Keating Barbara A. , Hill Callum A. S. , Sun Dongyang , English Rob , Davies Phil , McCue Charles
Published: March 2013

Nanocomposite films have been developed where a galactomannan (guar) matrix was reinforced with cellulose nanowhiskers and plasticized using sorbitol. The properties of these films were compared with films made from guar only. The films were examined using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic vapor sorption. The sorption kinetics properties were analyzed using parallel exponential kinetics (PEK) and this data interpreted using the Kelvin‐Voigt (K‐V) viscoelastic model. Substantial differences in sorption behavior were noted between the guar and cellulose reinforced guar films. Addition of cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) to the guar resulted in a change in the shape of the isotherm, as well as a reduced equilibrium moisture content throughout the hygroscopic range. With the guar film, hysteresis between the adsorption and desorption branches of the isotherm occurred up to 75% RH, where it collapsed. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the collapse of the hysteresis loop occurred at the glass transition temperature of the guar film. However, addition of CNWs to the guar produced a film where sorption hysteresis was found to occur throughout the hygroscopic range. The applicability of the K‐V interpretation of the sorption kinetics is discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Hyaluronic acid solutions—A processing method for efficient chemical modification
Authors: Collins Maurice N. , Birkinshaw Colin
Published: March 2013

To ensure repeatability of these crosslinking procedures and thereby improve the degradation time of hyaluronic acid (HA)‐based biomaterials in vitro, it is essential to have an understanding of the solution properties of HA. Control of HA dissolution is important because dissolution and solution degradation are concurrent processes during solution preparation. Complete dissolution is also important to maximize intermolecular crosslinking and reduce wasteful intramolecular reactions. Viscosity time profiles of HA solutions during dissolution have been obtained in order to optimize crosslinking efficiencies. Optimum dissolution occurs between 24 and 40 h when the HA is in a fully solvated disentangled state as indicated by the peak in the solvating curves which corresponds with Mark–Houwink α parameters of 0.76–0.85. The developed and characterized dissolution process was used to produce carbodiimide crosslinked HA films that were found to be reproducible and stable when immersed in distilled water. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Soluble low‐κ poly (aryl ether ketone) copolymers containing pendant adamantyl group and long aliphatic side chains
Authors: Ba Jinyu , Geng Zhi , Mu Jianxin
Published: March 2013

The aromatic diphenol monomers, 4‐(1‐adamantyl)‐1,3‐benzene diol (AdRES) and 4‐(6‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)undecan‐6‐yl)phenol (BISPR5R5) were successfully synthesized and used to synthesize a new series of poly (aryl ether ketone) copolymers (AdRES‐BISPR5R5‐PEEKs) with different percentages of two diphenol monomers by nucleophilic aromatic substitution polycondensation. The structure of copolymers was confirmed using FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy and their thermal and mechanical properties and solubilities were determined. It was found that the flexibility and toughness properties of the copolymers could be controlled by varying the molar ratio of diphenol monomers containing the pendent rigid adamantyl group and the flexible long side chains. They also showed low dielectric constants (κ = 2.50–2.88 at 1 MHz) and low water absorptions. It revealed that the symmetrical long aliphatic side chains were more conducive for reducing the polarity of the polymer chains, loosening the polymer packing, and subsequently reducing polymers' density and dielectric constants than the pendent rigid adamantyl group. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Synthesis and properties of biodegradable multiblock poly(ester‐carbonate) comprising of poly(L‐lactic acid) and poly(butylene carbonate) with hexamethylene diisocyanate as chain‐extender
Authors: Wang Jin , Zheng Liuchun , Li Chuncheng , Zhu Wenxiang , Zhang Dong , Guan Guohu , Xiao Yaonan
Published: March 2013

A series of novel biodegradable poly(ester‐carbonate) consisting of poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(butylene carbonate) (PBC) (PLLA‐b‐PBC) have been successfully synthesized by chain‐extension reaction of dihydroxyl‐terminated poly(L‐lactic acid) prepolymer (PLLA‐OH) and dihydroxyl‐terminated poly(butylene carbonate) prepolymer (PBC‐OH) using hexamethylene diisocyanate as a chain‐extender. The chemical structures and molecular weights of copolymers are characterized by 1H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The thermal properties, morphology, and mechanical properties of PLLA‐b‐PBC are investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, phase contrast optical microscopy, and mechanical testing. The results indicate that PBC soft segment slightly increases the thermal stabilities and effectively enhances the impact strength of the copolymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014, 131, 39158.