bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesoscale Eddies in the Labrador Sea and Their Contribution to Convection and Restratification
Authors: Chanut Jérôme , Barnier Bernard , Large William , Debreu Laurent , Penduff Thierry , Molines Jean Marc , Mathiot Pierre 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
The cycle of open ocean deep convection in the Labrador Sea is studied in a realistic, high-resolution (4 km) regional model, embedded in a coarser (⅓°) North Atlantic setup. This configuration allows the simultaneous generation and evolution of three different eddy types that are distinguished by their source region, generation mechanism, and dynamics. Very energetic Irminger Rings (IRs) are generated by barotropic instability of the West Greenland and Irminger Currents (WGC/IC) off Cape Desolation and are characterized by a warm, salty subsurface core. They densely populate the basin north of 58°N, where their eddy kinetic energy (EKE) matches the signal observed by satellite altimetry. Significant levels of EKE are also found offshore of the West Greenland and Labrador coasts, where boundary current eddies (BCEs) are spawned by weakly energetic instabilities all along the boundary current system (BCS). Baroclinic instability of the steep isopycnal slopes that result from a deep convective overturning event produces convective eddies (CEs) of 20–30 km in diameter, as observed and produced in more idealized models, with a distinct seasonal cycle of EKE peaking in April. Sensitivity experiments show that each of these eddy types plays a distinct role in the heat budget of the central Labrador Sea, hence in the convection cycle.
As observed in nature, deep convective mixing is limited to areas where adequate preconditioning can occur, that is, to a small region in the southwestern quadrant of the central basin. To the east, west, and south, BCEs flux heat from the BCS at a rate sufficient to counteract air–sea buoyancy loss. To the north, this eddy flux alone is not enough, but when combined with the effects of Irminger Rings, preconditioning is effectively inhibited here too. Following a deep convective mixing event, the homogeneous convection patch reaches as deep as 2000 m and a horizontal scale on the order of 200 km, as has been observed. Both CEs and BCEs are found to play critical roles in the lateral mixing phase, when the patch restratifies and transforms into Labrador Sea Water (LSW). BCEs extract the necessary heat from the BCS and transport it to the deep convection site, where it fluxed into convective patches by CEs during the initial phase. Later in the phase, BCE heat flux maintains and strengthens the restratification throughout the column, while solar heating establishes a near-surface seasonal stratification. In contrast, IRs appear to rarely enter the deep convection region. However, by virtue of their control on the surface area preconditioned for deep convection and the interannual variability of the associated barotropic instability, they could have an important role in the variability of LSW.
Unfiltering of the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) Data. Part II: Longwave Radiation
Authors: Clerbaux N. , Dewitte S. , Bertrand C. , Caprion D. , De Paepe B. , Gonzalez L. , Ipe A. , Russell J. E. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
The method used to estimate the unfiltered longwave broadband radiance from the filtered radiances measured by the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) instrument is presented. This unfiltering method is used to generate the first released edition of the GERB-2 dataset. This method involves a set of regressions between the unfiltering factor (i.e., the ratio of the unfiltered and filtered broadband radiances) and the narrowband observations of the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) instrument. The regressions are theoretically derived from a large database of simulated spectral radiance curves obtained by radiative transfer computations. The generation of this database is fully described.
Different sources of error that may affect the GERB unfiltering have been identified and the associated error magnitudes are assessed on the database. For most of the earth–atmosphere conditions, the error introduced during the unfiltering processes is well under 0.5% (RMS error of about 0.1%). For more confidence, the unfiltered radiances of GERB-2 are validated by cross comparison with collocated and coangular Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) observations. The agreement between the unfiltered radiances is within the science goals (1% accuracy for GERB and 0.5% for CERES) for the Flight Model 2 (FM2). For the CERES Flight Model 3 (FM3) instrument, an overall difference of 1.8% is observed. The intercomparisons indicate some scene-type dependency, which is due to the unfiltering for the cloudy scenes. This should be corrected for subsequent editions of the database.
Vortex Lines within Low-Level Mesocyclones Obtained from Pseudo-Dual-Doppler Radar Observations
Authors: Markowski Paul , Richardson Yvette , Rasmussen Erik , Straka Jerry , Davies-Jones Robert , Trapp Robert J. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Vortex lines passing through the low-level mesocyclone regions of six supercell thunderstorms (three nontornadic, three tornadic) are computed from pseudo-dual-Doppler airborne radar observations obtained during the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX). In every case, at least some of the vortex lines emanating from the low-level mesocyclones form arches, that is, they extend vertically from the cyclonic vorticity maximum, then turn horizontally (usually toward the south or southwest) and descend into a broad region of anticyclonic vertical vorticity. This region of anticyclonic vorticity is the same one that has been observed almost invariably to accompany the cyclonic vorticity maximum associated with the low-level mesocyclone; the vorticity couplet straddles the hook echo of the supercell thunderstorm. The arching of the vortex lines and the orientation of the vorticity vector along the vortex line arches, compared to the orientation of the ambient (barotropic) vorticity, are strongly suggestive of baroclinic vorticity generation within the hook echo and associated rear-flank downdraft region of the supercells, and subsequent lifting of the baroclinically altered/generated vortex lines by an updraft. Discussion on the generality of these findings, possible implications for tornadogenesis, and the similarity of the observed vortex lines to vortex lines in larger-scale convective systems are included as well.
Outsourcing and transborder data flows: the challenge of protecting personal information under the shadow of the USA Patriot Act
Authors: Stefanick Lorna 
Published: January 2008

Governments are increasingly outsourcing service provision to private contractors in an effort to realize cost efficiencies. The passage of the USA Patriot Act, however, has caused concern that government outsourcing of data management to US-based companies could result in the violation of fundamental civil liberties. What follows is a case study of a Canadian provincial government's plan to out-source the administration of a public health insurance and drug plan to a Canadian subsidiary of an American company. Within the context of the larger international concern about the reach of the USA Patriot Act, the article discusses the Canadian response to the fear that outsourcing will compromise the security of personal health information. It concludes that while different privacy protection experts worldwide have drawn different conclusions as to the implications of the USA Patriot Act, the ability of governments to protect the large amounts of data that are entrusted to them is becoming increasingly difficult. Points for practitioners Globalization and electronic communication not only challenge the sovereignty of the nation-state, but complicate the environment that both companies and governments `do business' in. This is particularly true given the swift passage of the USA Patriot Act 45 days after the September 11 attacks on New York's twin towers. This study of public sector data management outsourcing demonstrates that accountability, transparency and control over governments and their agents must not be compromised in the face of high profile demands to enhance national security or due to more mundane pressure to increase administrative efficiency.
Citizen or customer? Complaints handling in the public sector
Authors: Brewer Brian 
Published: January 2008

Ensuring that public service complaints are handled effectively and rights of redress upheld is an integral feature of good governance and effective service delivery. A review of the academic literature and a number of key government reports reveals what citizen complaint and redress systems exist currently, how they can be designed and enabled to operate with the greatest positive impact, and why they are important in holding public officials accountable for the use of discretionary decision-making authority. With the development of new public management (NPM) and public sector reforms in many jurisdictions, a consumerist model for handling complaints has come increasingly to the fore. When combined with the traditional citizenship perspective, this would appear to have considerable potential for improving complaints handling and redress. However, the consumerist model's narrow focus on customer satisfaction and the risk of weakening citizenship values such as fairness and social justice suggest a cautious approach may be best. Public sector managers and professionals need an awareness of how public reform strategies oriented exclusively towards a strengthened consumer role do risk undermining important aspects of the complaints handling and redress strategies embedded in the `rule of law' and `due process' features of citizen-oriented public administration. Accountability may be weakened when service recipients are defined less in terms of their citizenship and more on the basis of a narrowly defined status as a marketplace consumer. This is a key implication of current trends by governments to rely increasingly on privatization, contracting-out and public—private partnerships to deliver services. Points for practitioners How well service complaints are handled is a key determinant of quality in the public services at both systemic and service-recipient levels. Procedures that are easily accessible, simple to invoke and operate, transparent, ensure stakeholders are kept informed, and sensitive to different social groups help build confidence in complaints handling and redress processes. However, as more public services are delivered by quasi-public and private organizations using contracting and subcontracting arrangements, the challenge facing practitioners is how to ensure that citizen-centric values are maintained even as external review agencies like the Ombudsman and traditional accountability promoting procedures are replaced by narrower consumerist-oriented approaches.
Transforming service to Canadians: the Service Canada model
Authors: Flumian Maryantonett , Coe Amanda , Kernaghan Kenneth 
Published: January 2008

Over the past decade, the pursuit of citizen-centred service, combined with rapid advances in information and communication technologies, has stimulated innovative approaches to the organizational design of governments' service delivery systems. Service delivery organizations in Canada and elsewhere have taken a variety of organizational forms, thereby providing a range of models for adoption or adaptation. Service Canada offers Canadians a new model for the delivery of government services. It is a one-stop, multi-channel and multi-jurisdictional initiative that is dedicated to delivering seamless citizen-centred service. It brings together a wide range of government programmes and services from across federal departments and other levels of government to provide citizens with integrated, easy-to-access, personalized service. This article assesses the possibilities that the Service Canada model presents for service transformation through integrated service delivery (ISD) and discusses political, structural, operational, managerial and cultural barriers to its implementation. Points for practitioners Successful ISD initiatives can take a variety of organizational forms with an array of governance arrangements. While some of the ISD challenges are not faced by all countries, many of the challenges (e.g. privacy and security issues) are of a generic nature. Many of the solutions to ISD challenges are also of general application, including those utilized by Service Canada — the innovative use of partnerships, adequate funding, guaranteed privacy and security and effective human resource management. Note also that successful service transformation requires the creation of a culture of service excellence among employees, the demonstration of frequent and tangible results, and understanding that leadership in service integration requires a capacity for adapting to an ambiguous and ever-changing environment.
Administrative reform in Portugal: problems and prospects
Authors: Rocha J.A. Oliveira , Ferraz Esteves de Araujo Joaquim Filipe 
Published: January 2008

Administrative reform has been an important issue for several decades in Western countries. Like other Western countries, Portugal developed an increasing interest in administrative reform. This article is a contemporary analysis of Portuguese administrative reform. It introduces the Portuguese system and outlines its major features. Briefly stated, the decrease in State expenditure is represented by the proletarization of the middle class that lives off the State; there is an increase in party clientelism, since the old systems based on legal statutes are subject to flexibilization; and, finally, privatizations increase economic monopolies because the regulatory agencies do not work. This means that if this therapy was to be applied to small countries like Portugal, it could have serious consequences for Europe. Points for practitioners The article reflects the consequences of New Public Management when applied to a traditional bureaucracy. The introduction of administrative reform is more difficult in legal systems such as Portugal. So practitioners and politicians can learn from this case study when dealing with reforms in similar systems.
Reforming local public administration in Romania: trends and obstacles
Authors: Dragoş Dacian C. , Neamţu Bogdana 
Published: January 2008

This article endeavors to diagnose and critically assess some of the challenges Romanian public administration is confronted with and to discuss some of the reform efforts that have been made in order to cope with these challenges. The concept of administrative capacity is central to this analysis — the authors examine the practical implications of this concept and try to assess what could be done in order to increase the administrative capacity of local public administration and to complete the decentralization process. From a methodological standpoint, the article employs qualitative analysis. Secondary data analysis and document analysis (scientific papers and official documents such as laws, reports issued by the EU institutions) were used in order to justify some of the comments and assumptions made throughout the article. Points for practitioners The article highlights several of the reform efforts in the field of public administration undertaken recently by Romania. It points out that the process of decentralization is closely intertwined with the development of the administrative capacity of the territorial units. The authors argue in favor of seeking a balance between focus on internal reform and changing the relations between the public administration and society. One of the main conclusions is that although Romania has improved the legislation in the field of decentralization and local autonomy, there are still steps that need to be taken towards better implementation.
Self-Reported Injury History and Lower Limb Function as Risk Factors for Injuries in Female Youth Soccer
Authors: Steffen Kathrin , Myklebust Grethe , Andersen Thor Einar , Holme Ingar , Bahr Roald 
Published: January 2008

Background Identifying and understanding injury risk factors are necessary to develop and target measures to prevent injuries. Because youth teams rarely have health care professionals working directly with the team, identifying players at increased risk through elaborate clinical tests is not feasible. Questionnaires may be a possible alternative as screening instruments. Purpose To examine whether injury history and lower limb function assessed by a self-administered questionnaire represent risk factors for injury. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods At baseline, female soccer players (aged 14–16 years) were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire covering sports participation; history of previous injuries to the ankle, knee, hamstring, or groin; as well as present function of these 4 specific regions. A total of 1430 (71 % of the entire cohort) were followed up to record injuries during the subsequent 8 months. Results A history of a previous injury to the ankle (rate ratio, 1.2 [1.1–1.3]; P < .001), knee (rate ratio, 1.4 [1.2–1.6]; P< .001), or groin (rate ratio, 1.6 [1.2–2.1]; P = .004) increased the risk of new injuries to the same region. Reporting a reduced function (defined as <80% of the maximum score) for the ankle (rate ratio, 1.7 [1.1–2.7]; P = .021) or knee (rate ratio, 3.2 [1.8–5.7]; P < .001) was also a significant risk factor. However, the sensitivity of previous injuries and lower limb function in predicting new injuries was low. Conclusion A history of previous injury and reduced function at baseline were significant risk factors for new injuries to the same region during the following season.
Requirement of c-Myb for p210BCR/ABL-dependent transformation of hematopoietic progenitors and leukemogenesis
Authors: Lidonnici Maria Rosa , Corradini Francesca , Waldron Todd , Bender Timothy P. , Calabretta Bruno 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe c-Myb gene encodes a transcription factor required for proliferation and survival of normal myeloid progenitors and leukemic blast cells. Targeting of c-Myb by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides has suggested that myeloid leukemia blasts (including chronic myelogenous leukemia [CML]–blast crisis cells) rely on c-Myb expression more than normal progenitors, but a genetic approach to assess the requirement of c-Myb by p210BCR/ABL-transformed hematopoietic progenitors has not been taken. We show here that loss of a c-Myb allele had modest effects (20%-28% decrease) on colony formation of nontransduced progenitors, while the effect on p210BCR/ABL-expressing Lin− Sca-1+ and Lin− Sca-1+Kit+ cells was more pronounced (50%-80% decrease). Using a model of CML-blast crisis, mice (n = 14) injected with p210BCR/ABL-transduced p53−/−c-Mybw/w marrow cells developed leukemia rapidly and had a median survival of 26 days, while only 67% of mice (n = 12) injected with p210BCR/ABL-transduced p53−/−c-Mybw/d marrow cells died of leukemia with a median survival of 96 days. p210BCR/ABL-transduced c-Mybw/w and c-Mybw/d marrow progenitors expressed similar levels of the c-Myb–regulated genes c-Myc and cyclin B1, while those of Bcl-2 were reduced. However, ectopic Bcl-2 expression did not enhance colony formation of p210BCR/ABL-transduced c-Mybw/d Lin−Sca-1+Kit+ cells. Together, these studies support the requirement of c-Myb for p210BCR/ABL-dependent leukemogenesis.
Designing multiple degenerate primers via consecutive pairwise alignments
Authors: Najafabadi Hamed Shateri , Torabi Noorossadat , Chamankhah Mahmood 
Published: January 2008

Abstract

Background
Different algorithms have been proposed to solve various versions of degenerate primer design problem. For one of the most general cases, multiple degenerate primer design problem, very few algorithms exist, none of them satisfying the criterion of designing low number of primers that cover high number of sequences. Besides, the present algorithms require high computation capacity and running time.

Results
PAMPS, the method presented in this work, usually results in a 30% reduction in the number of degenerate primers required to cover all sequences, compared to the previous algorithms. In addition, PAMPS runs up to 3500 times faster.

Conclusion
Due to small running time, using PAMPS allows designing degenerate primers for huge numbers of sequences. In addition, it results in fewer primers which reduces the synthesis costs and improves the amplification sensitivity.
Signature Evaluation Tool (SET): a Java-based tool to evaluate and visualize the sample discrimination abilities of gene expression signatures
Authors: Jen Chih-Hung , Yang Tsun-Po , Tung Chien-Yi , Su Shu-Han , Lin Chi-Hung , Hsu Ming-Ta , Wang Hsei-Wei 
Published: January 2008

Abstract

Background
The identification of specific gene expression signature for distinguishing sample groups is a dominant field in cancer research. Although a number of tools have been developed to identify optimal gene expression signatures, the number of signature genes obtained is often overly large to be applied clinically. Furthermore, experimental verification is sometimes limited by the availability of wet-lab materials such as antibodies and reagents. A tool to evaluate the discrimination power of candidate genes is therefore in high demand by clinical researchers.

Results
Signature Evaluation Tool (SET) is a Java-based tool adopting the Golub's weighted voting algorithm as well as incorporating the visual presentation of prediction strength for each array sample. SET provides a flexible and easy-to-follow platform to evaluate the discrimination power of a gene signature. Here, we demonstrated the application of SET for several purposes: (1) for signatures consisting of a large number of genes, SET offers the ability to rapidly narrow down the number of genes; (2) for a given signature (from third party analyses or user-defined), SET can re-evaluate and re-adjust its discrimination power by selecting/de-selecting genes repeatedly; (3) for multiple microarray datasets, SET can evaluate the classification capability of a signature among datasets; and (4) by providing a module to visualize the prediction strength for each sample, SET allows users to re-evaluate the discrimination power on mis-grouped or less-certain samples. Information obtained from the above applications could be useful in prognostic analyses or clinical management decisions.

Conclusion
Here we present SET to evaluate and visualize the sample-discrimination ability of a given gene expression signature. This tool provides a filtration function for signature identification and lies between clinical analyses and class prediction (or feature selection) tools. The simplicity, flexibility and brevity of SET could make it an invaluable tool for marker identification in clinical research.