bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two Methods for Retrieving UV Index for All Cloud Conditions from Sky Imager Products or Total SW Radiation Measurements
Authors: Badosa Jordi , Calbó Josep , Mckenzie Richard , Liley Ben , González Josep‐Abel , Forgan Bruce , Long Charles N. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractCloud effects on UV Index (UVI) and total solar radiation (TR) as a function of cloud cover and sunny conditions (from sky images) as well as of solar zenith angle (SZA) are assessed. These analyses are undertaken for a southern‐hemisphere mid‐latitude site where a 10‐years dataset is available. It is confirmed that clouds reduce TR more than UV, in particular for obscured Sun conditions, low cloud fraction (<60%) and large SZA (>60°). Similarly, local short‐time enhancement effects are stronger for TR than for UV, mainly for visible Sun conditions, large cloud fraction and large SZA. Two methods to estimate UVI are developed: (1) from sky imaging cloud cover and sunny conditions, and (2) from TR measurements. Both methods may be used in practical applications, although Method 2 shows overall the best performance, as TR allows considering cloud optical properties. The mean absolute (relative) differences of Method 2 estimations with respect to measured values are 0.17 UVI units (6.7%, for 1 min data) and 0.79 Standard Erythemal Dose (SED) units (3.9%, for daily integrations). Method 1 shows less accurate results but it is still suitable to estimate UVI: mean absolute differences are 0.37 UVI units (15%) and 1.6 SED (8.0%).
The Impact of Visibility on Trade: Evidence from the World Cup
Authors: Bayar Omer , Schaur Georg 
Published: March 2014

AbstractSuccess in the FIFA World Cup provides countries with substantial international visibility. This paper uses this information shock associated with the World Cup to show that visibility has a significant impact on trade flows. In isolating the visibility effect, two identification problems are solved. Match outcomes in the World Cup are subject to significant uncertainty. This uncertainty, when combined with controls for economic development, makes World Cup success exogenous to exports. By contrast, hosting the World Cup is potentially endogenous owing to self‐selection issues. The paper exploits FIFA's host selection policy to construct exogenous instruments for hosting. The results show that success in the World Cup raises exports temporarily by around 5%.
Termination Theory and National Climate Change Mitigation Programs: The Case of New Zealand
Authors: Birchall S. Jeff 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn 2008 New Zealand (NZ) changed from a Labour‐led to a National‐led government, and this resulted in a shift to government's carbon emission mitigation strategy, including the abandonment of the Communities for Climate Protection (CCP) and the Carbon Neutral Public Service (CNPS) programs. Using deLeon's seminal model for program termination, the objective of this research is to determine why NZ's newly elected government discontinued these initiatives. This empirical research is investigative and probing, and comprises a series of semi‐structured interviews with senior managers responsible for the delivery of the respective program within their organization. The architects of each program are also investigated. In the end, this study finds that while economic constraints and programmatic inefficiencies may have played a contributing role, political ideology is the primary rationale for the termination of the CNPS and the CCP‐NZ programs.
Understanding a Period of Policy Change: The Case of Hydraulic Fracturing Disclosure Policy in Colorado
Authors: Heikkila Tanya , Pierce Jonathan J. , Gallaher Samuel , Kagan Jennifer , Crow Deserai A. , Weible Christopher M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper investigates the beliefs and framing strategies of interest groups during a period of policy change and the factors explaining policy change. We develop propositions to explore questions concerning policy change primarily from the advocacy coalition framework as well as from other theorie. The propositions are tested by examining the promulgation of a Colorado regulation requiring the disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. Using coded data of documents published by organizations involved in the rulemaking process, we find divergence between industry and environmental groups on their beliefs concerning hydraulic fracturing, as well as their portraying themselves and each other as heroes, victims, and villains, but some convergence on their more specific beliefs concerning disclosure of chemicals. Interviews point to the importance of policy entrepreneurs, timing, a negotiated agreement, and learning for explaining policy change. The findings provide both theoretical and methodological insights into how and why policy changes.
Science and Politics in the Regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms in Brazil
Authors: Mitre Maya , Reis Bruno P. W. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper analyzes the regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Brazil, focusing on the debates that preceded the enactment in 2005 of the current Biosafety Law and the factors (both domestic and international) that influenced the policy‐making process. More specifically, it identifies the social and governmental actors that influenced the congressional debates, showing how their interests and agenda were translated into two different institutional frameworks. Here, the policy outcome was what we call a “hybrid” and “conciliatory” regulatory model, which formally acknowledges the importance of both technical/scientific and social/political considerations in the evaluation of GMO biosafety and engages most of the stakeholders in the regulatory process. The new policy regime also establishes a middle ground between the conflicting demands of promoting agricultural development and protecting the country's biodiversity.
Early Adopters of Solar Panels in Developing Countries: Evidence from Tanzania
Authors: Smith Michael G. , Urpelainen Johannes 
Published: March 2014

AbstractWho pioneers the adoption of solar home systems as a source of power in developing countries? While many scholars of electrification praise off‐grid options, evidence on their adoption from nationally representative surveys is lacking. We test existing and new hypotheses using the 2007 Tanzanian National Household Budget Survey. Since the survey is nationally representative and has more than 10,000 respondent households, it is ideal for our purposes. We find modest support for the notion that wealthier households adopt more readily than poorer ones. Surprisingly, electrified households adopt solar home systems more readily than other households, suggesting that solar home systems provide backup power. We further find that larger households adopt more readily than smaller ones and that a rural location or high education levels do not predict solar power use. These findings suggest that new policies are needed to promote solar home systems in poor and rural areas, where their development effectiveness is maximal.
Capturing the Multiple and Shifting Identities of Farm Women in the Northeastern United States
Authors: Brasier Kathryn J. , Sachs Carolyn E. , Kiernan Nancy Ellen , Trauger Amy , Barbercheck Mary E. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe identities of women on farms are shifting as more women enter farming and identify as farmers, as reflected by the 30 percent growth in women farmers in the U.S. census of agriculture (USDA 2009). This article draws from identity theory to develop a quantitative measure of the identities of farm women. The measure incorporates multiple roles farming women may perform and weights these roles by their salience to two farm identities, farm operator and farm partner. We use a sample of women on farms (n = 810) in the northeastern United States to assess the measures of role identity in relation to reported decision‐making authority, farm tasks, and farm and individual characteristics. The findings provide a multidimensional view of farming women in the northeastern United States, a far more complex view than traditional survey research has previously captured. This research provides a measure that other researchers can use to assess the multiple and shifting identities of farming women in other sections of the United States.
Pneumocystis jirovecii colonisation in HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative subjects in Cameroon
Authors: Riebold D. , Enoh D. O. , Kinge T. N. , Akam W. , Bumah M. K. , Russow K. , Klammt S. , Loebermann M. , Fritzsche C. , Eyong J. E. , Eppel G. , Kundt G. , Hemmer C. J. , Reisinger E. C. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a major opportunistic infection in AIDS patients in Europe and the USA, in Cameroon.Materials and methodsInduced sputum samples from 237 patients without pulmonary symptoms (126 HIV‐positive and 111 HIV‐negative outpatients) treated at a regional hospital in Cameroon were examined for the prevalence of Pneumocystis jirovecii by specific nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and staining methods. CD4 counts and the history of antiretroviral therapy of the subjects were obtained through the ESOPE database system.Results and conclusionSeventy‐five of 237 study participants (31.6%) were colonised with Pneumocystis, but none showed active PCP. The Pneumocystis colonisation rate in HIV‐positive subjects was more than double that of HIV‐negative subjects (42.9% vs. 18.9%, P < 0.001). In the HIV‐positive group, the colonisation rate corresponds to the reduction in the CD4 lymphocyte counts. Subjects with CD4 counts >500 cells/μl were colonised at a rate of 20.0%, subjects with CD4 counts between 200 and 500 cells/μl of 42.5%, and subjects with CD4 counts <200 cells/μl of 57.1%. Colonisation with Pneumocystis in Cameroon seems to be comparable to rates found in Western Europe. Prophylactic and therapeutic measures against Pneumocystis should be taken into account in HIV care in western Africa.
A phylogenetic analysis of Pseudopaludicola (Anura) providing evidence of progressive chromosome reduction
Authors: Veiga‐Menoncello Ana C. P. , Lourenço Luciana B. , Strüssmann Christine , Rossa‐Feres Denise C. , Andrade Gilda V. , Giaretta Ariovaldo A. , Recco‐Pimentel Shirlei M. 
Published: March 2014

Here, we present a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical genus Pseudopaludicola focusing on species relationships including 11 of the 17 known species of Pseudopaludicola; several samples of Pseudopaludicola are not assigned to any species; and 34 terminal species as an outgroup. The study was based on the analysis of approximately 2.3 kb of the sequence of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, tRNAval and 16S rRNA genes through maximum parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction approaches. Our results showed that Pseudopaludicola is a well‐supported monophyletic group organized into four major clades and confirmed that the assemblage of species that lack T‐shaped terminal phalanges is paraphyletic with respect to the P. pusilla Group. Chromosomal data mapped on the cladogram showed a direct correlation among the four clades and observed chromosome numbers (2n = 22, 20, 18 and 16) with a progressive reduction in the chromosome number. Overall, our findings suggest that some taxonomic changes are necessary and reinforce the need for a revision of the genus Pseudopaludicola.
Jumping and Hopping in Elite and Amateur Orienteering Athletes and Correlations to Sprinting and Running
Authors: Hébert-Losier Kim , Jensen Kurt , Holmberg Hans-Christer 
Published: March 2014

Purpose:Jumping and hopping are used to measure lower-body muscle power, stiffness, and stretch-shortening-cycle utilization in sports, with several studies reporting correlations between such measures and sprinting and/or running abilities in athletes. Neither jumping and hopping nor correlations with sprinting and/or running have been examined in orienteering athletes.Methods:The authors investigated squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump (SLJ), and hopping performed by 8 elite and 8 amateur male foot-orienteering athletes (29 ± 7 y, 183 ± 5 cm, 73 ± 7 kg) and possible correlations to road, path, and forest running and sprinting performance, as well as running economy, velocity at anaerobic threshold, and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) from treadmill assessments.Results:During SJs and CMJs, elites demonstrated superior relative peak forces, times to peak force, and prestretch augmentation, albeit lower SJ heights and peak powers. Between-groups differences were unclear for CMJ heights, hopping stiffness, and most SLJ parameters. Large pairwise correlations were observed between relative peak and time to peak forces and sprinting velocities; time to peak forces and running velocities; and prestretch augmentation and forest-running velocities. Prestretch augmentation and time to peak forces were moderately correlated to VO2peak. Correlations between running economy and jumping or hopping were small or trivial.Conclusions:Overall, the elites exhibited superior stretch-shortening-cycle utilization and rapid generation of high relative maximal forces, especially vertically. These functional measures were more closely related to sprinting and/or running abilities, indicating benefits of lower-body training in orienteering.
A 1-Year Study of Endurance Runners: Training, Laboratory Tests, and Field Tests
Authors: Galbraith Andy , Hopker James , Cardinale Marco , Cunniffe Brian , Passfield Louis 
Published: March 2014

Purpose:To examine the training and concomitant changes in laboratory- and field-test performance of highly trained endurance runners.Methods:Fourteen highly trained male endurance runners (mean ± SD maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] 69.8 ± 6.3 mL · kg−1 · min−1) completed this 1-y training study commencing in April. During the study the runners undertook 5 laboratory tests of VO2max, lactate threshold (LT), and running economy and 9 field tests to determine critical speed (CS) and the modeled maximum distance performed above CS (D′). The data for different periods of the year were compared using repeated-measures ANOVA. The influence of training on laboratory- and field-test changes was analyzed by multiple regression.Results:Total training distance varied during the year and was lower in May–July (333 ± 206 km, P = .01) and July–August (339 ± 206 km, P = .02) than in the subsequent January–February period (474 ± 188 km). VO2max increased from the April baseline (4.7 ± 0.4 L/min) in October and January periods (5.0 ± 0.4 L/min, P ≤ .01). Other laboratory measures did not change. Runners’ CS was lowest in August (4.90 ± 0.32 m/s) and highest in February (4.99 ± 0.30 m/s, P = .02). Total training distance and the percentage of training time spent above LT velocity explained 33% of the variation in CS.Conclusion:Highly trained endurance runners achieve small but significant changes in VO2max and CS in a year. Increases in training distance and time above LT velocity were related to increases in CS.
Pacing by Winners of a 161-km Mountain Ultramarathon
Authors: Hoffman Martin D. 
Published: March 2014

Purpose:To examine pacing among the most successful runners in the 161-km Western States Endurance Run (WSER) to determine if variations in segmental speed relate to performance, ambient temperature, and calendar year.Methods:Segmental speed and coefficient of variation (CV) in speed were analyzed for 10 race segments of 24 races from 1985 through 2013.Results:Segmental speeds did not differ between the eventual winners and lead runners and only differed between the 1st and 2nd finishers in the 2nd half of the race. Mean CV in speed was lower (P < .01) for the winners (12%) than for the other top-5 finishers (14–15%). CV in speed was related (r = .80, P = .006) to finish time for the fastest 10 finish times at the WSER. Multiple linearregression analysis revealed mean CV in speed for the top-5 runners to be related to maximum ambient temperature (coefficient =.14, P < .05) and calendar year (coefficient = –.086, P = .034).Conclusions:Mountain trail running is characterized by wide variations in speed, but the fastest times are achieved when speed fluctuations are limited. This is generally accomplished by the winners remaining relatively close behind the lead runners before taking the lead in the middle half of the race, and then avoiding slowing as much as the other top runners in the latter race stages. Variations in speed increase with high ambient temperatures, and the small decrease in segmental speed variability among top runners across the nearly 30 y of this study suggests that the best runners have improved at pacing this race.
Coxiella burnetii Type IV Secretion-Dependent Recruitment of Macrophage Autophagosomes
Authors: Winchell Caylin G. , Graham Joseph G. , Kurten Richard C. , Voth Daniel E. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

Coxiella burnetii
is an intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes human Q fever, a flu-like disease that can progress to chronic, life-threatening endocarditis. In humans,
C. burnetii
infects alveolar macrophages and promotes phagosomal fusion with autophagosomes and lysosomes, establishing a unique parasitophorous vacuole (PV) in which to replicate. The pathogen uses a Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS) to deliver effector proteins to the host cytoplasm, where they alter cellular processes to benefit the pathogen. The T4SS is required for PV expansion and prevention of apoptosis, but little else is known about the role of the system during intracellular growth. Recent reports suggest that
C. burnetii
actively recruits autophagosomes to the PV to deliver nutrients to the pathogen and provide membrane for the expanding vacuole. In this study, we examined the role of the T4SS in mediating PV interactions with autophagosomes. We found that the autophagy-related proteins LC3 and p62 localized to wild-type PV but not to T4SS mutant organism-containing phagosomes in human macrophage-like cells, primary human alveolar macrophages, and Chinese hamster ovary cells. However, while lipidated LC3 levels were elevated regardless of T4SS activity, no p62 turnover was observed during
C. burnetii
growth in macrophages, suggesting that the pathogen recruits preformed autophagosomes. When the T4SS was activated 24 h after infection, autophagosome recruitment ensued, indicating that autophagosome interactions are dispensable for initial PV maturation to a phagolysosome-like compartment but are involved in vacuole expansion. Together, these results demonstrate that
C. burnetii
actively directs PV-autophagosome interactions by using the Dot/Icm T4SS.
Phenotypic Screening of a Targeted Mutant Library Reveals Campylobacter jejuni Defenses against Oxidative Stress
Authors: Flint Annika , Sun Yi-Qian , Butcher James , Stahl Martin , Huang Hongsheng , Stintzi Alain 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

During host colonization,
Campylobacter jejuni
is exposed to harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced from the host immune system and from the gut microbiota. Consequently, identification and characterization of oxidative stress defenses are important for understanding how
C. jejuni
survives ROS stress during colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. Previous transcriptomic studies have defined the genes belonging to oxidant stimulons within
C. jejuni
. We have constructed isogenic deletion mutants of these identified genes to assess their role in oxidative stress survival. Phenotypic screening of 109 isogenic deletion mutants identified 22 genes which were either hypersensitive or hyposensitive to oxidants, demonstrating important roles for these genes in oxidant defense. The significance of these genes in host colonization was also assessed in an
in vivo
chick model of
C. jejuni
colonization. Overall, our findings identify an indirect role for motility in resistance to oxidative stress. We found that a nonmotile flagellum mutant, the Δ
motAB
mutant, displayed increased sensitivity to oxidants. Restoration of sensitivity to superoxide in the Δ
motAB
mutant was achieved by fumarate supplementation or tandem deletion of
motAB
with
ccoQ
, suggesting that disruption of the proton gradient across the inner membrane resulted in increased superoxide production in this strain. Furthermore, we have identified genes involved in cation transport and binding, detoxification, and energy metabolism that are also important factors in oxidant defense. This report describes the first isogenic deletion mutant library construction for screening of relevant oxidative stress defense genes within
C. jejuni
, thus providing a comprehensive analysis of the total set of oxidative stress defenses.
Identification of a Group B Streptococcal Fibronectin Binding Protein, SfbA, That Contributes to Invasion of Brain Endothelium and Development of Meningitis
Authors: Mu Rong , Kim Brandon J. , Paco Czarinah , Del Rosario Yvette , Courtney Harry S. , Doran Kelly S. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

Group B
Streptococcus
(GBS) is currently the leading cause of neonatal meningitis. This is due to its ability to survive and multiply in the bloodstream and interact with specialized human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMEC), which constitute the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The exact mechanism(s) of GBS-BBB penetration is still largely unknown. We and others have shown that GBS interacts with components of the extracellular matrix. In this study, we demonstrate that GBS of representative serotypes binds immobilized and cell surface fibronectin and identify a putative fibronectin binding protein,
s
treptococcal
f
ibronectin
b
inding protein A (SfbA). Allelic replacement of
sfbA
in the GBS chromosome resulted in a significant decrease in ability to bind fibronection and invade hBMEC compared with the wild-type (WT) parental strain. Expression of SfbA in the noninvasive strain
Lactococcus lactis
was sufficient to promote fibronectin binding and hBMEC invasion. Furthermore, the addition of an antifibronectin antibody or an RGD peptide that blocks fibronectin binding to integrins significantly reduced invasion of the WT but not the
sfbA
-deficient mutant strain, demonstrating the importance of an SfbA-fibronectin-integrin interaction for GBS cellular invasion. Using a murine model of GBS meningitis, we also observed that WT GBS penetrated the brain and established meningitis more frequently than did the Δ
sfbA
mutant strain. Our data suggest that GBS SfbA plays an important role in bacterial interaction with BBB endothelium and the pathogenesis of streptococcal meningitis.