bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of EarthCARE Cloud Profiling Radar Doppler Velocity Measurements in Particle Sedimentation Regimes
Authors: Kollias Pavlos , Tanelli Simone , Battaglia Alessandro , Tatarevic Aleksandra 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The joint European Space Agency–Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (ESA–JAXA) Earth Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) mission is scheduled for launch in 2016 and features the first atmospheric Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) with Doppler capability in space. Here, the uncertainty of the CPR Doppler velocity measurements in cirrus clouds and large-scale precipitation areas is discussed. These regimes are characterized by weak vertical motion and relatively horizontally homogeneous conditions and thus represent optimum conditions for acquiring high-quality CPR Doppler measurements. A large dataset of radar reflectivity observations from ground-based radars is used to examine the homogeneity of the cloud fields at the horizontal scales of interest. In addition, a CPR instrument model that uses as input ground-based radar observations and outputs simulations of CPR Doppler measurements is described. The simulator accurately accounts for the beam geometry, nonuniform beam-filling, and signal integration effects, and it is applied to representative cases of cirrus cloud and stratiform precipitation. The simulated CPR Doppler velocities are compared against those derived from the ground-based radars. The unfolding of the CPR Doppler velocity is achieved using simple conditional rules and a smoothness requirement for the CPR Doppler measurements. The application of nonuniform beam-filling Doppler velocity bias-correction algorithms is found necessary even under these optimum conditions to reduce the CPR Doppler biases. Finally, the analysis indicates that a minimum along-track integration of 5000 m is needed to reduce the uncertainty in the CPR Doppler measurements to below 0.5 m s−1 and thus enable the detection of the melting layer and the characterization of the rain- and ice-layer Doppler velocities.
Forbes Winslow and his Journal
Authors: Berrios GE 
Published: November 2013

During the 19th century, there were few periodicals dedicated to the inchoate discipline of alienism (now called ‘psychiatry’). Given the newness of alienism and the idiosyncratic structure of the British publishing industry at the time, for a private individual to start a new specialized journal was a major enterprise. Against all odds, Forbes Winslow managed to publish his journal from 1848 to 1860, and during this period the scholarly nature of his publication could not be matched by the Asylum Journal, the official publication of the Association of Medical Officers of Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane. Under the title Psychological Medicine, Winslow offered a new view of alienism which he clearly conceived as a discipline broader than medicine. He strove to inform his readers about the conceptual and practical complexities that then (as now) beset and besiege the care of the mentally ill. He taught his readers that to understand and manage insanity, knowledge of philosophy and of the human sciences was as important as knowledge about the brain. In the 1850s this was a new message to impart.
The temporal and spatial profiles of cell loss following experimental spinal cord injury: effect of antioxidant therapy on cell death and functional recovery
Authors: Ling Xiang , Bao Feng , Qian Hao , Liu Danxia 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced overproduction of endogenous deleterious substances triggers secondary cell death to spread damage beyond the initial injury site. Substantial experimental evidence supports reactive species (RS) as important mediators of secondary cell death after SCI. This study established quantitative temporal and spatial profiles of cell loss, characterized apoptosis, and evaluated the effectiveness of a broad spectrum RS scavenger - Mn (III) tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP) and a combination of MnTBAP plus nitro-L-arginine to prevent cell loss and neurological dysfunction following contusion SCI to the rat spinal cord.

Results
By counting the number of surviving cells in spinal cord sections removed at 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 h and 1 week post-SCI and at 0 – 4 mm from the epicenter, the temporal and spatial profiles of motoneuron and glia loss were established. Motoneurons continued to disappear over a week and the losses decreased with increasing distance from the epicenter. Significant glia loss peaked at 24 to 48 h post-SCI, but only at sections 0–1.5 mm from the epicenter. Apoptosis of neurons, motoneurons and astrocytes was characterized morphologically by double immuno-staining with cell-specific markers and apoptosis indicators and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. DNA laddering, ELISA quantitation and caspase-3 activation in the spinal cord tissue indicated more intense DNA fragments and greater caspase-3 activation in the epicenter than at 1 and 2 cm away from the epicenter or the sham-operated sections. Intraperitoneal treatment with MnTBAP + nitro-L-arginine significantly reduced motoneuron and cell loss and apoptosis in the gray and white matter compared with the vehicle-treated group. MnTBAP alone significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells and improved functional recovery as evaluated by three behavioral tests.

Conclusions
Our temporal and spatial profiles of cell loss provide data bases for determining the time and location for pharmacological intervention. Our demonstration that apoptosis follows SCI and that MnTBAP alone or MnTBAP + nitro-L-arginine significantly reduces apoptosis correlates SCI-induced apoptosis with RS overproduction. MnTBAP significantly improved functional recovery, which strongly supports the important role of antioxidant therapy in treating SCI and the candidacy of MnTBAP for such treatment.
Functional characterization of an ornithine cyclodeaminase-like protein of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Sharma Sandeep , Shinde Suhas , Verslues Paul E 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
In plants, proline synthesis occurs by two enzymatic steps starting from glutamate as a precursor. Some bacteria, including bacteria such as Agrobacterium rhizogenes have an Ornithine Cyclodeaminase (OCD) which can synthesize proline in a single step by deamination of ornithine. In A. rhizogenes, OCD is one of the genes transferred to the plant genome during the transformation process and plants expressing A. rhizogenes OCD have developmental phenotypes. One nuclear encoded gene of Arabidopsis thaliana has recently been annotated as an OCD (OCD-like; referred to here as AtOCD) but nothing is known of its function. As proline metabolism contributes to tolerance of low water potential during drought, it is of interest to determine if AtOCD affects proline accumulation or low water potential tolerance.

Results
Expression of AtOCD was induced by low water potential stress and by exogenous proline, but not by the putative substrate ornithine. The AtOCD protein was plastid localized. T-DNA mutants of atocd and AtOCD RNAi plants had approximately 15% higher proline accumulation at low water potential while p5cs1-4/atocd double mutants had 40% higher proline than p5cs1 at low water potential but no change in proline metabolism gene expression which could directly explain the higher proline level. AtOCD overexpression did not affect proline accumulation. Enzymatic assays with bacterially expressed AtOCD or AtOCD purified from AtOCD:Flag transgenic plants did not detect any activity using ornithine, proline or several other amino acids as substrates. Moreover, AtOCD mutant or over-expression lines had normal morphology and no difference in root elongation or flowering time, in contrast to previous report of transgenic plants expressing A. rhizogenes OCD. Metabolite analysis found few differences between AtOCD mutants and overexpression lines.

Conclusions
The Arabidopsis OCD-like protein (AtOCD) may not catalyze ornithine to proline conversion and this is consistent with observation that three residues critical for activity of bacterial OCDs are not conserved in AtOCD. AtOCD was, however, stress and proline induced and lack of AtOCD expression increased proline accumulation by an unknown mechanism which did not require expression of P5CS1, the main enzyme responsible for stress-induced proline synthesis from glutamate. The results suggest that AtOCD may have function distinct from bacterial OCDs.
Looks like smoking, is it smoking?: Children’s perceptions of cigarette-like nicotine delivery systems, smoking and cessation
Authors: Faletau Julienne , Glover Marewa , Nosa Vili , Pienaar Fiona 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundAlternative cigarette-like nicotine delivery systems have been met with diverse opinions. One concern has been for the effect on children. We investigate whether children can differentiate tobacco cigarette smoking from use of a nicotine inhaler and electronic cigarette. Their opinions on these devices was also of interest.MethodsTwo structured focus groups and twelve individual interviews were conducted with twenty Māori and Pacific children (6–10 years old) in low socioeconomic areas in Auckland, New Zealand. Children viewed short video clips on an iPad that demonstrated an actor smoking a tobacco cigarette, sucking a lollipop or using an electronic cigarette or a nicotine inhaler.ResultsChildren did not recognise the inhaler or electronic cigarette. Some children did however notice anomalies in the ‘smoking’ behaviour. Once told about the products the children were mostly positive about the potential of the inhaler and electronic cigarette to assist smokers to quit. Negative perceptions were expressed, including views about the ill health effects associated with continued nicotine intake and the smoker’s inability to quit.ConclusionsIn a context unfamiliar with electronic cigarettes or nicotine inhalers, such as New Zealand, children may misperceive use of these products as smoking. Once these products are more common and the purpose of them is known, seeing people use them should normalise quitting behaviour, something the children were very supportive of.
Sedum tarokoense (Crassulaceae), a new species from a limestone area in Taiwan
Authors: Lu Chang-Tse , Lin Hung-Wen , Liou Wei-Ting , Wang Jenn-Che 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background

An unknown Sedum was found from the limestone region in Taiwan. After a detailed comparison with other congeners in Taiwan and neighboring countries, we identified this plant as a new species.

Results
This new taxon resembles S. nokoense Yamamoto, S. alfredii Hance, and S. uniflorum Hook. & Arn. subsp. oryzifolium (Makino) H. Ohba, but differs in leaf shape, sepal morphology, and seed testa micro-morphology. Ecologically, this new taxon occurs exclusively on limestone, while S. nokoense and S. alfredii grow in non-limestone areas and S. uniflorum subsp. oryzifolium is only found on sandy seashores.

Conclusions

Sedum tarokoense H.W. Lin & J.C. Wang is described as a new species. We provide a description, line drawing, and distribution map, as well as photograph, a key and a table to distinguish S. tarokoense from its related species.
Entropy-Based Optimization of Nonlinear Separable Discrete Decision Models
Authors: Nakagawa Yuji , James Ross J. W. , Rego César , Edirisinghe Chanaka 
Published: November 2013

This paper develops a new way to help solve difficult linear and nonlinear discrete-optimization decision models more efficiently by introducing a problem-difficulty metric that uses the concept of entropy from information theory. Our entropy metric is employed to devise rules for problem partitioning within an implicit enumeration method, where branching is accomplished based on the subproblem complexity. The only requirement for applying our metric is the availability of (upper) bounds on branching subproblems, which are often computed within most implicit enumeration methods such as branch-and-bound (or cutting-plane-based) methods. Focusing on problems with a relatively small number of constraints, but with a large number of variables, we develop a hybrid partitioning and enumeration solution scheme by combining the entropic approach with the recently developed improved surrogate constraint (ISC) method to produce the new method we call ISCENT. Our computational results indicate that ISCENT can be an order of magnitude more efficient than commercial solvers, such as CPLEX, for convex instances with no more than eight constraints. Furthermore, for nonconvex instances, ISCENT is shown to be significantly more efficient than other standard global solvers. This paper was accepted by Dimitris Bertsimas, optimization.
Mitigation of Brown Stain in Ponderosa Pine Shop-Grade Lumber Using High Temperatures Early in Kiln Schedules
Authors: Mottern Daniel L. , Wagner Francis G. , McDonald Armando G. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
Brown stain makes the appearance of ponderosa pine shop lumber look dark, streaky, and splotchy, which often results in lumber downgrading. When brown stain occurs in a piece of shop lumber, it is often sorted separately and ultimately sold for a discount. Manufacturers of ponderosa pine shop lumber have adopted low-temperature dry kiln schedules to mitigate brown stain effects. The low-temperature schedules are lengthy, often taking more than 100 hours of drying time. Preliminary high-temperature (>212°F [100°C]) drying schedules have reduced drying time while minimizing brown stain effects. The purpose of this study was to further explore drying schedules with high temperatures early in the schedules followed by conventional drying settings. Results showed that 10 hours of initial high-temperature drying can be used without brown stain affecting the visual grades of ponderosa pine shop lumber while reducing drying time up to 17 percent.
Laccase-Mediator Catalyzed Modification of Wood Fibers: Studies on the Reaction Mechanism and Making of Medium-Density Fiberboard
Authors: Euring Markus , Trojanowski Jerzy , Kharazipour Alireza 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
Owing to the constant increase of prices of the process for petrochemical resin and the possibility of harmful formaldehyde emissions from industrial produced medium-density fiberboards (MDF), enzymatic binder systems are discussed as an environmentally friendly alternative for gluing lignocelluloses such as wood fibers. In this work laccase-mediator systems (LMSs) were used to activate the lignin on wood fiber surfaces. Two different mediators were tested, vanillic acid (VAN) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), of which HBA performed best. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonances (13C-NMR) and electron spin resonances (ESR) of LMS-treated thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fibers were determined for qualitative and quantitative analysis of lignin activation. Analysis outputs were transferred to produce MDF using a dry process. 13C-NMR revealed more structural changes in the wood fibers using LMS with HBA than LMS with VAN. ESR spectroscopy indicated a higher amount of phenoxy radicals after treatment with LMS containing HBA as a mediator. The data correlated well with the quality of MDF. The best mechanical technological properties were achieved by using HBA within the LMS, so that the European Norms could be fulfilled. But VAN also performed well, which showed a high potential to produce ecofriendly MDF by using LMSs in the future.
Life-Cycle Carbon from Waste Wood Used in District Heating and Other Alternatives
Authors: Lippke Bruce , Puettmann Maureen E. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
Using wood wastes provides an opportunity to avoid fossil carbon emissions from the combustion of natural gas or other fossil fuels. Using a life-cycle assessment, a new biomass boiler sourced by forest residuals, sawmill residuals, and clean demolition material (CDM) was compared with an existing natural gas boiler for supplying heat to a large-scale district heating system. Potential alternative uses of these feedstocks, such as recycled or reprocessed products, and landfill alternatives were also evaluated for their relative impact on carbon emissions. We found a reduction in emissions from natural gas of 0.62 unit of carbon for every unit of carbon in the wood combusted. Temporary losses of forest carbon after initiating the collection of forest residuals were minimal over a short interval. These losses were more than offset by the joint production of wood products displacing fossil emissions. Carbon mitigation in the Pacific Northwest was increased from 5.5 metric tons/ha/y from the production of forest products with no collection of forest residuals to 6.5 metric tons/ha/y after completing the first rotation, an 18 percent reduction in fossil emissions per hectare of forest. The potential to recycle CDM into wood products may ultimately raise the efficiency in avoiding carbon emissions by 40 to 60 percent, although available wood quality and logistics currently favor use of CDM as biofuel feedstock. In the absence of any “incentives” or value for carbon mitigation, feedstock collection costs relative to low-cost fossil fuel will substantially limit the use of waste woods for biofuel or recycling alternatives.
Affordable Home Builder Demand for Green and Certified Wood Products
Authors: Estep Gregory D. , DeVallance David B. , Grushecky Shawn 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
Annual new housing starts in the United States decreased dramatically between 2005 and 2012. Consequently, products that are heavily tied to new housing starts, such as flooring, cabinetry, and moulding produced from Appalachian hardwoods, have suffered a corresponding decrease in demand. There may be opportunities to increase demand for these products, however, as demand in the green building sector increases. The present study evaluated the demand for certified wood products (CWPs) and green-labeled wood products in the central Appalachian affordable housing sector in 2011. The study also identified price premiums that affordable home builders were willing to pay for CWPs and green-labeled wood products. Results indicated that 50 percent of affordable housing respondents were planning future CWP purchases. Results also indicated that 62 percent of affordable housing respondents followed some type of green building standard. Additionally, more than 70 percent of affordable housing respondents suggested a willingness to pay an additional percentage for CWPs and local wood products. The use of CWPs was found to result from a combination of builder and homeowner preference. Last, of the housing builders who looked to purchase CWPs locally in 2011, only 17 percent were not able to locate the materials for purchase. The low percentage of unsuccessful procurement suggests CWPs are well distributed in areas near affordable housing projects in central Appalachia.
Relationship between Anatomical and Mechanical Properties of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
Authors: Jeong Gi Young 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of thinning and fertilization on mechanical properties of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) strands associated with growth ring number and height. A systematic link to forest management, anatomical properties, and mechanical properties was obtained by correlating the test results with anatomical properties. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of strands from three loblolly pine trees increased with the increment in growth ring number, whereas the MOE and UTS showed different trends with the increment in height. Prediction of the MOE and UTS with specific gravity for the trees seemed to be unreliable. A natural tree had the greatest correlation between tangential latewood cell wall thickness and the mechanical properties. A thinned tree had the greatest correlation between ring width and the mechanical properties. A fertilized tree had the greatest correlation between density and the mechanical properties. However, the correlation between a specific anatomical property and mechanical properties was weak. Different combinations of anatomical properties predicted MOE and UTS of loblolly pine strands from different forest-managed trees more closely, indicating an R2 of 0.84 to 0.95.
Effect of the Cutting Speed on the Surface Quality of Black Spruce Cants Produced by a Chipper-Canter
Authors: Hernández Roger E. , Kuljich Svetka , Naffeti Oussema , Koubaa Ahmed 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT
The effect of cutting speed on surface quality of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill) B.S.P.) cants produced by a chipper-canter was evaluated. Four cutting speeds (18.9, 21.3, 24.2, and 27.1 m/s) were tested while feed speed was adjusted to obtain the same nominal chip length of 27.5 mm for each condition. For each speed, 15 logs were processed under frozen and unfrozen wood temperatures using 25 mm of cutting width at their small end. The surface quality was analyzed according to roughness and waviness standard parameters and to the depth of torn grain. The results showed that surface quality was not affected by the cutting speed. In contrast, surface was affected by the temperature of the logs and was better under unfrozen conditions. Quality of cants was also better at the small end of the log and generally at the upper part of the cant.
Online support in study skills for international students at UCLAN
Authors: Reid Paul James 
Published: November 2013

This article highlights the issue of study skills support for international students within the context of an MSc course at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK (UCLAN). It provides an overview of key aspects of international students’ study experiences, and analyses UCLAN’s, and other Universities’ attempts to accommodate the needs of students in this respect. It is a reflective piece of work which reports on the authors’ involvement in an internationally oriented study skills programme, and aims to present an empathic approach to students’ experiences of study in a new country.
A course-specific online study skills package is posited as a useful way of enhancing the academic success of international students prior to commencement of study in the UK. The article describes a piece of ‘action oriented research’ (Small 1995) which will assess the efficacy of such a package with respect to the MSc Applied Public Health at UCLAN.
Profit-Seeking Behavior of Medical Providers and Generic Competition in the Pharmaceutical Market: Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Liu Ya-Ming , Hsieh Chee-Ruey 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPromoting competition between brand-name and generic drugs has long been recognized as an approach adopted to save on health care costs. However, there are substantial variations in the extent of the generic competition across countries. This study empirically estimates the determinants of the generic market share in Taiwan, where medical providers are in a position to profit directly from the sale of prescription drugs. Our empirical results point out that the profit-seeking behavior of medical providers plays an important and dominant role behind generic competition in the pharmaceutical market. As a result, there is a positive association between the generic-to-brand price ratio and the generic market share in Taiwan’s pharmaceutical market, which contrasts with the conventional empirical finding that the relationship between the generic-to-brand price ratio and generic market share is negative. An important implication of our study is that the profit-seeking behavior of medical providers undermines the policy effectiveness of using generic competition as the cost containment strategy in the health care market.