bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is It Time to Rethink the Typical Course of Low Back Pain?
Authors: Donelson Ronald , McIntosh Greg , Hall Hamilton 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveTo determine the frequency and the characteristics of low back pain (LBP) recurrences. The research questions were as follows: (1) Are LBP recurrences common? (2) Do episodes worsen with multiple recurrences? (3) Does pain change location in any recognizable pattern during an episode?DesignSingle‐page self‐administered questionnaire.SettingThirty clinical practices (primary care, physical therapy, chiropractic, and surgical spine) in North America and Europe.PatientsA convenience sample of 589 respondents with LBP. There were no exclusions based on type of LBP, history of onset, or comorbidities.MethodsThe survey was distributed during patients' assessment or initial treatment at their respective clinics. The survey queried the following: (1) the severity of original versus most recent episodes based on the following: pain intensity, interference with leisure and work activities, duration of episodes, and most distal extent of pain; and (2) changes in pain location within episodes.ResultsIn response to research question 1, a previous episode was reported by 73%; of those, 66.1% reported their first episode lasted ≤3 months, 54% reported ≥10 episodes, and 19.4% reported >50 episodes. In response to research question 2, of those with recurrences, 61.1% reported that at least one of the survey domains was worse in recent episodes (P < .01) and only 36.9% reported that they were better; 20.5% were worse in all domains, whereas 8.6% were better or the same. In response to research question 3, the pain location changed during the episode in 75.6%; of these, 63.2% reported that their pain first spread distally before retreating proximally during recovery; there was a strong trend toward those reporting worsening episodes also reporting proximal‐to‐distal‐to‐proximal changes in pain location during their episodes (r = 0.132, P < .06).ConclusionRecurrent LBP episodes were common and numerous. Recurrences often worsened over time. It seems inappropriate to characterize the typical course of LBP as benign and favorable.
Framework Thinking, Subject Thinking and “Taiwan-ness” in Environmental Education
Authors: Yueh Mei-Chun Michelle , Barker Miles 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn the 1998 Taiwanese national curriculum revision, environmental education was one of six new “Important Issues”. To some early observers, the generic “framework” sections of this 1998 curriculum (Aims, Goals, Core Competences) resonated well with the integrative and transdisciplinary nature of environmental education. This synergy held out promise for the successful introduction of environmental education to Taiwan, despite it not being one of the seven new Learning Areas (or subjects). However, this study suggests that a pervasive nation-wide exam-driven, subject-dominated educational climate resulted in a somewhat truncated “Taiwan-ness” in the environmental education that emerged. In three Junior High Schools preparing for curriculum implementation, there was little early focus on, either the national curriculum's framework aspects or the intended integrative nature of environmental education. Rather, by 2004 curriculum integration had become offcially non-compulsory, and environmental education was conceived as a minor priority, to be wedged where possible into spaces within the traditional subjects.
Religion and American Public Life
Authors: Sehat David 
Published: March 2012

In his 2000 best seller Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Civic Community, Robert Putnam analyzed the links between social capital and civic engagement. Lamenting the decline of “civic America,” he called for a Tocquevillean renewal of voluntary association in the United States. In American Grace, Putnam and coauthor David Campbell—who also helped with the preparation of Bowling Alone—return to the analysis of American civil society, focusing their attention on America's changing religious landscape and its implications for democracy. Their basic argument is that while the United States is religiously diverse and pluralistic to a profound degree, and while in recent years it has witnessed growing religious polarization, it has also succeeded in muting religious tensions and hostilities. As they conclude: “How has America solved the puzzle of religious pluralism—the coexistence of religious diversity and devotion? And how has it done so in the wake of growing religious polarization? By creating a web of interlocking personal relationships among people of many different faiths. This is America's grace” (p. 550).Given the importance of religion in American life and the influence of Putnam's broad agenda on much current social science research on social capital and civic engagement, we have decided to organize a symposium around the book, centered on three questions: 1) How is American Grace related to Putnam's earlier work, particularly Bowling Alone, and what are the implications of the continuities and/or discontinuities between these works? 2) What kind of a work of political science is American Grace, and how does it compare to other important recent work dealing with religion and politics in the United States? 3) What are the strengths and weaknesses of Putnam and Campbell's account of “how religion divides and unites us,” and what is the best way of thinking about the contemporary significance of religion and politics in the United States and about the ways that the religious landscape challenges U.S. politics and U.S. political science?
Combined processing and mutual interpretation of radiometry and fluorometry from autonomous profiling Bio‐Argo floats: 2. Colored dissolved organic matter absorption retrieval
Authors: Xing Xiaogang , Morel André , Claustre Hervé , D'Ortenzio Fabrizio , Poteau Antoine 
Published: March 2012

Eight autonomous profiling “Bio‐Argo” floats were deployed offshore during about 2 years (2008–2010) in Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean zones. They were equipped with miniaturized bio‐optical sensors, namely a radiometer measuring within the upper layer the downward irradiance at 412, 490, and 555 nm, and two fluorometers for detection of chlorophyll‐a (Chla) and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM; profiles from 400 m to surface). A first study dealt with the interpretation of the Chla fluorescence signal in terms of concentration, using for this purpose the diffuse attenuation coefficient for irradiance at 490 nm, Kd(490), taken as a proxy for the Chla absorption. The present study examines the possibility of similarly using the Kd(412) values combined with retrieved Chla profiles to convert the CDOM fluorometric qualitative information into a CDOM absorption coefficient (ay). The rationale is to take advantage of the fact that Kd is more sensitive to CDOM presence at 412 nm than at 490 nm. A validation of this method is tested through its application to field data, collected from a ship over a wide range of trophic conditions (Biogeochemistry and Optics South Pacific Experiment (BIOSOPE) cruise); these data include both in situ fluorescence profiles and CDOM absorption as measured on discrete samples. In addition, near‐surface ay values retrieved from the floats agree with those derivable from ocean color imagery (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS‐A)). The low sensitivity of commercially available CDOM fluorometers presently raises difficulties when applying this technique to open ocean waters. It was nevertheless possible to derive from the floats records meaningful time series of CDOM vertical distribution.
Fall Meeting by the numbers
Authors: Asher Pranoti 
Published: March 2012

Visits to the Fall Meeting Web site: 650,000
Total participants at the meeting: 20,890
Abstracts submitted to the meeting: 20,087
Donors who attended and took advantage of donor lounges: 1835
Total attendance at Simon Winchester's Presidential Forum Lecture: 1200
Total attendance at the Honors Banquet: 905
Books sold at the AGU Marketplace: 671
Individuals registered for the Fun Run: 487
Students who participated in the Student Breakfast: 450
Individuals who crossed the finish line at the Fun Run: 384
Total attendees at Exploration Station: 307
Total booths sold in the Exhibit Hall: 304
Press registered for the meeting: 288
Membership transactions completed for renewing and registering members at AGU Marketplace: 156
Meeting attendees who were past Congressional Visits Day participants: 82
Editors, associate editors, and their student guests who visited the Editors Resource Center: 63
Copies of Navigating Graduate School and Beyond: A Career Guide for Graduate Students and a Must Read for Every Advisor sold during and after the talk and book signing by author Sundar A. Christopher: 50
Kegs of beer consumed during the Ice Breaker on Sunday, 4 December: 48
Hours of video footage shot at the meeting by the AGU videographer: 40
Potential geopress authors and editors who attended the daily “Come Publish With geopress” sessions in the AGU Marketplace: 31
Press conferences held at the meeting: 25
Average age of minors attending Exploration Station: 8.7
Educational seminars sponsored by AGU Publications: 2 (one on how to write a good scientific paper and the other on the rewards of reviewing)
Watching three preschoolers in space suits waiting to meet astronaut Andrew Feustel after the Public Lecture: Priceless (with apologies to Mastercard®)
The use of trees in phytoremediation.
Authors: Azzarello E. , Pandolfi C. , Pollastri S. , Masi E. , Mugnai S. , Mancuso S. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Trees can be successfully used in phytoremediation because of their ability to grow on nutrient-poor soil, deep root system, fast rate of growth, metal-resistance traits and economically viable secondary use. Thanks to these features, trees are able to stabilize, extract, degrade or volatilize soil contaminants. The paper offers a comprehensive review of the role of trees in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals or organic pollutants. Transgenic approaches to enhance the aforementioned processes, together with the use of chelating agents to improve the bioavailability of pollutants for plants uptake, are also reviewed and discussed.
Using selective insecticides in sustainable IPM.
Authors: Hardy M. C. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Best agricultural practices advocate the use of selective insecticides, but the practicalities of applying novel technologies can be unclear. The aim of this review is to synthesize the existing literature on novel and selective insecticides that are appropriate for use in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, in tandem with biological control agents or as a more sustainable form of conventional chemical control of insect pests. An overview and definition of selective, non-persistent insecticides are followed by a brief introduction to recent advances in formulation chemistry and genetic engineering and nanotechnology. With the increasing popularity of 'organic' produce, it is critical that the insecticides that are allowed for use in the accredited programmes are in fact the most environmentally sensitive and have the least impact on non-target organisms. Increased emphasis on appropriate residue testing and continued monitoring of pest populations and the selection pressure for resistance are also considered. Regulatory bodies must move in a responsible manner towards approval of environmentally responsible, non-persistent insecticides that can be important components of IPM and sustainable agriculture.
Common methods used in the analysis of farming systems.
Authors: Nuthall P. L. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Ever since humans moved from simple hunting and gathering, man has contemplated how to produce food and fibre. Today with most western farms having large investments, careful consideration of the 'what, how and when' decisions embodied in a farming system is necessary. Among other objectives, profitability and, when debt levels are high, survivability are important. In the less developed world, analysis is just as important to ensure the greatest output for the minimum resources. This review considers the analytical methods used by farm management professionals in developing practical farming systems. Despite their large investment, most farmers, however, still use the simplest of analytical methods questioning the usefulness of the available tools for other than professionals who provide guiding analyses. Over the last century of both economic and analytical thought, a wide range of theories and techniques have been devised to assist determining farm systems. Any analyst involved in farm management and systems analysis should be fully familiar with the range of available practical tools and theories as this familiarity enables selecting the right tool for each analysis. To help this decision, this review considers the practicality of the tools and methods commonly used. Included are farm surveys, budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, linear (LP) and dynamic (DP) programming, systems simulation and various other operations research techniques. Bench-marking and risk analysis are also important, as are production functions (and estimation methods) and data envelopment analysis (DEA). The use of expert systems as a decision support system is also mentioned.
Epigenetics and plant breeding.
Authors: Rival A. , Jaligot E. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The amazing ability of epigenetic mechanisms to respond to a wide range of developmental and environmental signals in eukaryotes has earned them a lot of attention. Indeed, epigenetically regulated gene expression (variations in gene expression obtained without permanent alteration of the DNA sequence) is involved in differentiation, organogenesis and acclimation, and, as such, is hypothesized to participate in both phenotypic diversity and the plasticity of living organisms. While the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in the understanding of such vital processes is now widely recognized, many questions remain to be elucidated. Foremost is the point of transmission of epigenetic marks on (methylated cytosines) and around (modified histone tails) DNA, since research is still needed to explain the inheritance of an epigenetic character and which mechanisms are involved. The present review is aimed at illustrating key concepts when considering the exploitation of epigenetic changes for plant breeding, through both its environmentally responsive character and its potential heritability. In doing so, we have avoided developments relating to complex molecular pathways so as to give a glimpse to the interested but non-expert reader on the current debates and on the experimental challenges still ahead.
Options for control of scolytid beetles that attack pines.
Authors: Glare T. R. , Reay S. D. , Etxebeste I. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Scolytid beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are a large group of beetles associated with many tree species. Some species consume dead wood and vector an array of fungi which contribute to recycling of organic material, so are often an important component of forest ecology. However, populations can increase to pest levels. In this review, we look at options for control of scolytid pests of
Pinus
spp. Pines, valued for their softwood and pulp, are grown commercially in many countries. Both indigenous and exotic species of bark beetle are pests of pines. There have been numerous approaches to reducing the impact of bark beetle attack on pines. Management strategies have included thinning stands and timing of harvesting and planting, through to efforts to predict outbreaks. Bark beetles use semiochemicals to locate hosts and attract conspecifics and these have been used to trap or repel beetles, or disrupt their behaviour. Chemical pesticides have been used, especially for protection of high-value trees. Pesticides can be effective in some situations, but the commonly used actives such as organophosphates and pyrethroids have non-target and other health and safety concerns. There have been few successful introductions or applications of natural enemies (predators, parasitoids and microbial pathogens) reported for scolytid pests of pines. The cryptic, within-tree, habitats used for much of the bark beetle life cycle provide significant protection against most forms of control. Successful control will require novel approaches and will likely involve multiple agents and strategies.
The role of urban green space and trees in relation to climate change.
Authors: Fryd O. , Pauleit S. , Bühler O. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Urban areas are particularly susceptible to climate change. For instance, effects of increasing temperatures on public health and energy demands for cooling of buildings are further intensified by the urban heat island effect, and the current sewer infrastructure is not designed to handle predicted rainstorm events. Urban green spaces can play a role in climate change
mitigation
approaches, but in particular with regard to climate change
adaptation
. This includes moderation of urban temperatures as well as linking green spaces and stormwater management. However, climate change also influences the growth conditions of urban vegetation, and as beneficial effects depend on vital and lush plants, establishment and management practices of urban plantings have to adapt to climate change challenges as well. While environmental, social and economic benefits of urban green space are well established, there is still a significant lack of knowledge for the site adapted planning and design of a green infrastructure in a given location to meet the challenges of climate change.
Downstream Movement of Fall Chinook Salmon Juveniles in the Lower Snake River Reservoirs during Winter and Early Spring
Authors: Tiffan Kenneth F. , Kock Tobias J. , Connor William P. , Mullins Frank , Steinhorst R. Kirk 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe conducted a 3‐year radiotelemetry study in the lower Snake River to (1) determine whether juvenile fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha pass dams during winter, when bypass systems and structures designed to prevent mortality are not operated; (2) determine whether downstream movement rate varies annually, seasonally, and from reservoir to reservoir; and (3) identify some of the factors that contribute to annual, seasonal, and spatial variation in downstream movement rate. Fall Chinook salmon juveniles moved downstream up to 169 km and at a sufficiently fast rate (7.5 km/d) such that large percentages (up to 93%) of the fish passed one or more dams during the winter. Mean downstream movement rate varied annually (9.2–11.3 km/d), increased from winter (7.5 km/d) to spring (16.4 km/d), and increased (from 6.9 to 16.8 km/d) as fish moved downstream from reservoir to reservoir. Fish condition factor at tagging explained some of the annual variation in downstream movement rate, whereas water particle velocity and temperature explained portions of the seasonal variation. An increase in migrational disposition as fish moved downstream helped to explain the spatial variation. The potential cost of winter movement might be reduced survival due to turbine passage at a time when the bypass systems and spillway passage structures are not operated. Efforts to understand and increase passage survival of winter migrants in large impoundments might help to rehabilitate some imperiled anadromous salmonid populations.
Quantitative Analysis of Intestinal Bacterial Populations From Term Infants Fed Formula Supplemented With Fructo‐oligosaccharides
Authors: Xia Qing , Williams Timberly , Hustead Deborah , Price Pamela , Morrison Mark , Yu Zhongtang 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTObjectives:Previous studies of infant formulas supplemented with oligosaccharides reported mixed results regarding the impact on intestinal microbial populations. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of supplementation of an infant formula with fructo‐oligosaccharides (FOS) on select groups of intestinal bacteria in term infants.Methods:Four groups of infants were enrolled and fed human milk, a commercially available milk‐based infant formula, or infant formula supplemented with 2.0 or 3.0 g/L FOS. Dietary intake, stool, and tolerance events were recorded. Fresh stool samples were collected approximately 27 days after feeding the diets (approximately 32 days after birth). Total bacteria, Bacteroides (as commensal bacteria), Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and Clostridium difficile and Escherichia coli were quantified using respective specific real‐time PCR assays.Results:The formula feeding groups did not differ in stool consistency and stool frequency or frequency of spit‐up or vomit during the entire study. The formula‐fed infants tended to have more total bacteria in their stool samples than the human milk–fed infants. The formula‐fed infants harbored a greater abundance of C difficile and E coli than the human milk–fed infants, but had a similar abundance of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus. The FOS supplementation at either dose did not significantly increase the bifidobacterial or lactobacilli populations, or decrease the populations of C difficile, E coli, or Bacteroides.Conclusions:The milk‐based formula used in this study supported bifidobacterial and lactobacilli populations comparable with the human milk group; however, this formula did not suppress E coli or C difficile as effectively as human milk.
Smooth and near time‐optimal trajectory planning of industrial robots for online applications
Authors: Xiao Yongqiang , Du Zhijiang , Dong Wei 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a new smooth online near time‐optimal trajectory planning approach to reduce the consuming time compared to the conventional dynamics trajectory planning methods.Design/methodology/approachIn the proposed method, the robot path is expressed by a scalar path coordinate. The joints torque boundary and speed boundary are transformed into the plane, which can generate the limitation curves of pseudo‐velocity. The maximum pseudo‐velocity curve that meets the limits of torque and speed is built up through the feature points and control points in the plane by using cubic polynomial fitting method. Control points used for cubic polynomial construction are optimized by the Golden‐Section method.FindingsThe proposed method can avoid Range's phenomenon and also guarantee the continuity of torque.Practical implicationsThe algorithm designed in this paper is used for the controller of a new industrial robot which will be equipped for the welding automatic lines of Chery Automobile Co. Ltd.Originality/valueCompared to the five‐order polynomial trajectory optimization method proposed by Macfarlane and Croft, the approach described in this paper can effectively take advantage of joints maximum speed, and the calculation time of this method is shorter than conventional dynamics methods.