bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Management of Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) with Insect Biological Control and Plant Competition under Variable Soil Nutrients
Authors: Burns Erin E. , Prischmann-Voldseth Deirdre A. , Gramig Greta G.
Published: December 2013

Because of economic and environmental constraints, alternatives to chemical management of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) are frequently sought, but adequate nonchemical suppression of this invasive species remains elusive. Combining biological control with other tactics may be an effective approach to suppress Canada thistle, but more information is needed about how environmental conditions affect interspecific interactions. We investigated effects of a biocontrol agent (Hadroplontus litura, a stem-mining weevil) and a potential plant competitor (common sunflower, Helianthus annuus, native annual) on Canada thistle under two soil nutrient regimes in outdoor microcosms. Larval mining damage was relatively light, and weevils negatively impacted only main shoot height and flower number. All measures of Canada thistle performance were reduced when plants were grown with common sunflower or in reduced nutrients, although effects of the latter on root biomass were not significant. Effects of common sunflower and soil nutrients on Canada thistle were generally additive, though a marginally insignificant interaction indicated a trend for greatest flower number with high nutrients and absence of common sunflower. Effects of weevils and common sunflower on Canada thistle were also additive rather than interactive. Although larval damage ratings were significantly greater on plants grown in high-nutrient soil, under our experimental conditions weevils and soil nutrients did not have a significant interactive effect on Canada thistle plants. Our results indicate that H. litura is a relatively weak biological control agent, but when combined with competitive desirable vegetation, some level of Canada thistle suppression may be possible, especially if soil nutrient levels are not highly enriched from agricultural runoff. Assessing the true ecological impacts of Canada thistle infestations may be an important direction for future research.
Integration of Prescribed Burning, Aminopyralid, and Reseeding for Restoration of Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)-Infested Rangeland
Authors: Kyser Guy B. , Hazebrook Arthur , DiTomaso Joseph M.
Published: December 2013

Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) is among the most invasive plant species in the western United States. The long-term management of yellow starthistle should include an integrated approach that incorporates establishment of competitive vegetation. In this study, conducted in two locations at Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey County, California, we evaluated the combination of prescribed burning, the herbicide aminopyralid, and reseeding of native broadleaf and grass species on both yellow starthistle control and native plant restoration. Both study sites were burned in late October 2009. Over the following season, aminopyralid was applied at three timings and native plant species were seeded at three timings, using both a drill-seeder and broadcast spreader. Evaluations over the next 3 yr showed that aminopyralid provided complete to nearly complete control of yellow starthistle when applied between January and March, and this level of control was maintained for two seasons. Native plants failed to establish when broadcast seeded, regardless of the timing. December and January drill seeding timings were the most successful in establishing native species. There was a strong herbicide and drill seed timing interaction effect on native grass cover at both study sites. Over the course of the study the native perennial grass Stipa cernua was the most successful seeded species to establish, but establishment was slow and required 3 yr. Our results indicate that a January or March aminopyralid treatment integrated with a native perennial grass drill seeding program in January offers the greatest probability of both successful yellow starthistle control and perennial grass establishment.
Impacts of Prescribed Fire, Glyphosate, and Seeding on Cogongrass, Species Richness, and Species Diversity in Longleaf Pine
Authors: Enloe Stephen F. , Loewenstein Nancy J. , Held David W. , Eckhardt Lori , Lauer Dwight K.
Published: December 2013

Cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.] is a warm-season, rhizomatous grass native to southeast Asia that has invaded thousands of hectares in the southeastern United States. Its negative impacts on pine forests have been well documented, and aggressive control is widely recommended. Although repeated herbicide treatments are effective for suppression, integrated strategies of prescribed burning coupled with herbicide treatment and revegetation are lacking in pine systems. In particular, longleaf pine forests, which are typically open, fire-dependent, communities, are highly susceptible to cogongrass, which is a pyrogenic species. To address management goals for cogongrass control and herbaceous restoration in longleaf pine forests better, field studies were conducted in southwestern Alabama from 2010 to 2012. Two longleaf pine forests with near-monotypic stands of cogongrass in the understory were selected for study. Treatments included combinations of winter prescribed fire, spring and fall glyphosate herbicide treatments, and seeding a mix of native, herbaceous species. Data were collected for three growing seasons following study initiation, and included seasonal herbaceous species cover and final cogongrass shoot and rhizome biomass. Species richness and diversity were calculated and analyzed to ascertain treatment effects over the duration of the study. Burning slightly improved cogongrass control with glyphosate, but had no effect on total cover, species richness, or species diversity. Three glyphosate treatments reduced total vegetative cover and nearly eliminated cogongrass cover, shoot, and rhizome biomass. Glyphosate and glyphosate + seeding also increased herbaceous species richness and diversity. However, aboveground productivity in treated plots was significantly lower than productivity in the untreated control, which was almost exclusively cogongrass. These studies indicate that glyphosate and integrated strategies utilizing glyphosate and seeding are very useful for cogongrass management and increasing herbaceous species richness and diversity in longleaf pine.
Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum) Control with Imazapic on Montana Grasslands
Authors: Mangold Jane , Parkinson Hilary , Duncan Celestine , Rice Peter , Davis Ed , Menalled Fabian
Published: December 2013

Downy brome is a problematic invasive annual grass throughout western rangeland and has been increasing its abundance, spread, and impacts across Montana during the past several years. In an effort to develop effective management recommendations for control of downy brome on Montana rangeland, we compiled data from 24 trials across the state that investigated efficacy of imazapic (Plateau®, BASF Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC) applied at various rates and timings and with methylated seed oil (MSO) or a nonionic surfactant (NIS). We ran a mixed-model ANOVA to test for main effects and interactions across application rate (70, 105, 141, 176, and 211 g ai ha−1), application timing (preemergent [PRE], early postemergent [EPOST, one- to two-leaf growth stage], and postemergent [POST, three- to four-leaf growth stage]), and adjuvant (MSO, NIS). Application timing and rate interacted to affect downy brome control (P = 0.0033). PRE imazapic application resulted in the lowest downy brome control (5 to 19%), followed by POST application (25 to 77%) and EPOST application (70 to 95%). Downy brome control remained fairly consistent across rates within application timing. Adjuvant (MSO or NIS) did not affect downy brome control (P = 0.2789). Our data indicate that POST application at 105 to 141 g ai ha−1 provides the most-consistent, short-term control of downy brome. Furthermore, applying imazapic to downy brome seedlings shortly after emergence (one- to two-leaf growth stage) provided better control than applying it to older downy brome seedlings (three- to four-leaf growth stage).
X-ray spectromicroscopic study of interactions between NaCl and calcium silicate hydrates
Authors: Yoon Seyoon , Ha Juyoung , Chae Sejung Rosie , Kilcoyne David A. , Monteiro Paulo J. M.
Published: December 2013

X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra were used to investigate the interactions between sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), the primary binding phase of hydrated Portland cement. XRD analysis indicates the interlayer expansion of C-S-H with a high Ca/Si ratio. Contrast maps of STXM images collected from C-S-Hs with different Ca/Si ratios reacted with NaCl solution reveal that sodium interacts with C-S-H with a low Ca/Si ratio, while chloride is intercalated into the interlayer of C-S-H with a high Ca/Si ratio. Silicon K-edge XANES spectra were analysed to understand the variation in the structure of silicate chains. This revealed that the interaction with the sodium cations depolymerises the silicate chains of C-S-H with a low Ca/Si ratio. The mechanism involved for the selection of adsorbed ions is probably due to the residual charge between the positive charge of interlayer calcium ions and the negative charge of the end group of silicate chains in C-S-H.
A Review of Intimate Partner Violence for Case Managers
Authors: Zeman Laura Dreuth , Swanke Jayme
Published: December 2013

This article provides case managers with updated information on intimate partner violence. Case managers provide an important role in the identification, treatment, and prevention of intimate partner violence. Current federal laws provide direction and funding for a complex network of services for survivors. Effective identification involves screening and assessing risk of harm, severity of violence, and the survivor’s readiness for change. Care planning involves working with the survivor and their families to build protective skills, make a safety plan, and build their life independent of violence.
Evaluating methodological assumptions in comparative effectiveness research: overcoming pitfalls
Authors: Alemayehu Demissie , Cappelleri Joseph C
Published: December 2013

The scope of comparative effectiveness research (CER) is wide and therefore requires the application of complex statistical tools and nonstandard procedures. The commonly used methods presuppose the realization of important, and often untestable, assumptions pertaining to the underlying distribution, study heterogeneity and targeted population. Accordingly, the value of the results obtained based on such tools is in large part dependent on the validity of the underlying assumptions relating to the operating characteristics of the procedures. In this article, we elucidate some of the pitfalls that may arise with use of the most commonly used techniques, including those that are applied in network meta-analysis, observational data analysis and patient-reported outcome evaluation. In addition, reference is made to the impact of data quality and database heterogeneity on the performance of commonly used CER tools and the need for standards in order to inform researchers engaged in CER.
Comparative effectiveness research in follicular lymphoma: current and future perspectives and challenges
Authors: Wudhikarn Kitsada , Link Brian K
Published: December 2013

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in northern America. FL is an incurable disease with relapsing–remitting courses requiring serial intermittent treatments. Duration of remission will often become progressively shorter and most patients will die from refractory disease or transformation to aggressive lymphoma. Given the incurable nature of FL, current goals of treatment are focused on improving symptoms and survival by a variety of available treatment options, while considering potential adverse events. Although randomized controlled trials are universally perceived as the gold standard of clinical research, randomized controlled trials are not always practical and have several limitations. Therapeutic and diagnostic options of FLs are expanding faster than randomized controlled trials can test them, so employing comparative effectiveness research on other research designs are needed to efficiently improve global FL care. Implementing comparative effectiveness research with judicious use of appropriate research designs will hopefully fill current knowledge gaps and provide insights for FL managements.
Wildlife Warning Signs: Public Assessment of Components, Placement and Designs to Optimise Driver Response
Authors: Bond Amy , Jones Darryl
Published: December 2013

Wildlife warning signs are the most commonly used and widespread form of road impact mitigation, aimed at reducing the incidence of wildlife–vehicle collisions. Evidence of the effectiveness of currently used signs is rare and often indicates minimal change in driver behaviour. Improving the design of these signs to increase the likelihood of appropriate driver response has the potential to reduce the incidence of wildlife–vehicle collisions. This study aimed to examine and assess the opinions of drivers on wildlife warning sign designs through a public opinion survey. Three currently used sign designs and five alternative sign designs were compared in the survey. A total of 134 drivers were surveyed. The presence of temporal specifications and an updated count of road-killed animals on wildlife warning signs were assessed, as well as the position of the sign. Drivers’ responses to the eight signs were scaled separately at three speed limits and participants indicated the sign to which they were most likely to respond. Three signs consistently ranked high. The messages conveyed by these signs and their prominent features were explored. Animal-activated and vehicle speed-activated signs were ranked very highly by participants. Extensive field trials of various sign designs are needed to further this research into optimizing wildlife warning sign designs.
Academic Rankings with RePEc
Authors: Zimmermann Christian
Published: December 2013

This article describes the data collection and use of data for the computation of rankings within RePEc (Research Papers in Economics). This encompasses the determination of impact factors for journals and working paper series, as well as the ranking of authors, institutions, and geographic regions. The various ranking methods are also compared, using a snapshot of the data.
Evaluation of Green Buildings’ Overall Performance through in Situ Monitoring and Simulations
Authors: Asdrubali Francesco , Buratti Cinzia , Cotana Franco , Baldinelli Giorgio , Goretti Michele , Moretti Elisa , Baldassarri Catia , Belloni Elisa , Bianchi Francesco , Rotili Antonella , Vergoni Marco , Palladino Domenico , Bevilacqua Daniele
Published: December 2013

The evaluation of the overall performance of a green building is complex, since many construction, energy and environmental aspects have to be considered. The Umbria Region in Italy, through various public tenders, recently funded several residential buildings, innovative in terms of construction quality, green technologies and sustainable solutions, such as natural building materials, integrated sunspaces, PV (photovoltaic) modules and solar collectors, geothermal heat pumps, that had to be adopted to obtain the public contribution. The University of Perugia carried out an extended monitoring of these buildings, in order to verify the actual achievement of design objectives, to certify the real savings in terms of energy and environmental loads and to assess the indoor comfort conditions for occupants. In situ thermal, acoustical and lighting measurements were carried out for more than one year. Energy simulations were performed by means of codes which implement the algorithms required by the Italian Law. Moreover, a comparison between real consumptions and simulated energy requirements was carried out. Finally, the buildings were characterized from the environmental sustainability point of view, using the method adopted by the Umbria Region. This assessment was borrowed from ITACA (Institute for Innovation and Transparency in Government Procurement and Environmental Compatibility) procedure [an Italian procedure similar to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)] and consists of 20 worksheets, one for each different performance indicator, at the aim of carefully describing the environmental quality of the building.
The Development of Advanced Optical Fibers for Long-Wave Infrared Transmission
Authors: Lucas Pierre , Boussard-Pledel Catherine , Wilhelm Allison , Danto Sylvain , Zhang Xiang-Hua , Houizot Patrick , Maurugeon Sebastien , Conseil Clément , Bureau Bruno
Published: December 2013

Long-wave infrared fibers are used in an increasing number of applications ranging from thermal imaging to bio-sensing. However, the design of optical fiber with low-loss in the far-infrared requires a combination of properties including good rheological characteristics for fiber drawing and low phonon energy for wide optical transparency, which are often mutually exclusive and can only be achieved through fine materials engineering. This paper presents strategies for obtaining low loss fibers in the far-infrared based on telluride glasses. The composition of the glasses is systematically investigated to obtained fibers with minimal losses. The fiber attenuation is shown to depend strongly on extrinsic impurity but also on intrinsic charge carrier populations in these low band-gap amorphous semiconductor materials.
Synthesis of Diazonium Tetrachloroaurate(III) Precursors for Surface Grafting
Authors: Neal Sabine , Orefuwa Samuel , Overton Atiya , Staples Richard , Mohamed Ahmed
Published: December 2013

The synthesis of diazonium tetrachloroaurate(III) complexes [R-4-C6H4N≡N]AuCl4 involves protonation of anilines CN-4-C6H4NH2, C8F17-4-C6H4NH2, and C6H13-4-C6H4NH2 with tetrachloroauric acid H[AuCl4] 3H2O in acetonitrile followed by one-electron oxidation using [NO]PF6. FT-IR shows the diazonium stretching frequency at 2277 cm−1 (CN), 2305 cm−1 (C8F17), and 2253 cm−1 (C6H13). Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) shows the high stabilities of the electron-withdrawing substituents C8F17 and CN compared with the electron-donating substituent C6H13. Residual Gas Analysis (RGA) shows the release of molecular nitrogen as the main gas residue among other small molecular weight chlorinated hydrocarbons and chlorobenzene. Temperature-Dependent X-Ray Powder Diffraction (TD-XRD) shows the thermal decomposition in C6H13 diffraction patterns at low temperature of 80 °C which supports the TGA and RGA (TGA-MS) conclusions. X-ray structure shows N≡N bond distance of approximately 1.10 Å and N≡N-C bond angle of 178°.
Repeat Lumbar Puncture: CSF Lactic Acid Levels are Predictive of Cure with Acute Bacterial Meningitis
Authors: Cunha Burke
Published: December 2013

A common clinical problem concerns the utility of repeat lumbar puncture (LP) in adults with acute bacterial meningitis (ABM), e.g., pneumococcal meningitis [1]. An LP is initially done for diagnostic purposes in patients with suspected ABM, i.e., diagnostic lumbar puncture (DLP). A repeat LP (RLP) may be done 1–3 days after the initial DLP, if the patient shows no improvement. If a patient with ABM is not doing well after three days, adequacy of antimicrobial therapy is the main concern. Other reasons for RLP is to detect possible intracranial complications of ABM unrelated to adequacy of therapy [1–2].
Mobile Monitoring and Embedded Control System for Factory Environment
Authors: Lian Kuang-Yow , Hsiao Sung-Jung , Sung Wen-Tsai
Published: December 2013

This paper proposes a real-time method to carry out the monitoring of factory zone temperatures, humidity and air quality using smart phones. At the same time, the system detects possible flames, and analyzes and monitors electrical load. The monitoring also includes detecting the vibrations of operating machinery in the factory area. The research proposes using ZigBee and Wi-Fi protocol intelligent monitoring system integration within the entire plant framework. The sensors on the factory site deliver messages and real-time sensing data to an integrated embedded systems via the ZigBee protocol. The integrated embedded system is built by the open-source 32-bit ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) core Arduino Due module, where the network control codes are built in for the ARM chipset integrated controller. The intelligent integrated controller is able to instantly provide numerical analysis results according to the received data from the ZigBee sensors. The Android APP and web-based platform are used to show measurement results. The built-up system will transfer these results to a specified cloud device using the TCP/IP protocol. Finally, the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) approach is used to analyze the power loads in the factory zones. Moreover, Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is used to carry out the actual electricity load experiments using smart phones.
Fractional Modeling of the AC Large-Signal Frequency Response in Magnetoresistive Current Sensors
Authors: Ravelo Arias Sergio , Ramírez Muñoz Diego , Sánchez Moreno Jaime , Cardoso Susana , Ferreira Ricardo , Peixeiro de Freitas Paulo
Published: December 2013

Fractional calculus is considered when derivatives and integrals of non-integer order are applied over a specific function. In the electrical and electronic domain, the transfer function dependence of a fractional filter not only by the filter order n, but additionally, of the fractional order α is an example of a great number of systems where its input-output behavior could be more exactly modeled by a fractional behavior. Following this aim, the present work shows the experimental ac large-signal frequency response of a family of electrical current sensors based in different spintronic conduction mechanisms. Using an ac characterization set-up the sensor transimpedance function Ζt(jf) is obtained considering it as the relationship between sensor output voltage and input sensing current, Ζt(jf)=Vo,sensor(jf)/Isensor(jf). The study has been extended to various magnetoresistance sensors based in different technologies like anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR), giant magnetoresistance (GMR), spin-valve (GMR-SV) and tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR). The resulting modeling shows two predominant behaviors, the low-pass and the inverse low-pass with fractional index different from the classical integer response. The TMR technology with internal magnetization offers the best dynamic and sensitivity properties opening the way to develop actual industrial applications.
In situ growth optimization in focused electron-beam induced deposition
Authors: Weirich Paul M , Winhold Marcel , Schwalb Christian H , Huth Michael
Published: December 2013

We present the application of an evolutionary genetic algorithm for the in situ optimization of nanostructures that are prepared by focused electron-beam-induced deposition (FEBID). It allows us to tune the properties of the deposits towards the highest conductivity by using the time gradient of the measured in situ rate of change of conductance as the fitness parameter for the algorithm. The effectiveness of the procedure is presented for the precursor W(CO)6 as well as for post-treatment of Pt–C deposits, which were obtained by the dissociation of MeCpPt(Me)3. For W(CO)6-based structures an increase of conductivity by one order of magnitude can be achieved, whereas the effect for MeCpPt(Me)3 is largely suppressed. The presented technique can be applied to all beam-induced deposition processes and has great potential for a further optimization or tuning of parameters for nanostructures that are prepared by FEBID or related techniques.
Continuous-flow Heck synthesis of 4-methoxybiphenyl and methyl 4-methoxycinnamate in supercritical carbon dioxide expanded solvent solutions
Authors: Lau Phei Li , Allen Ray W K , Styring Peter
Published: December 2013

The palladium metal catalysed Heck reaction of 4-iodoanisole with styrene or methyl acrylate has been studied in a continuous plug flow reactor (PFR) using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as the solvent, with THF and methanol as modifiers. The catalyst was 2% palladium on silica and the base was diisopropylethylamine due to its solubility in the reaction solvent. No phosphine co-catalysts were used so the work-up procedure was simplified and the green credentials of the reaction were enhanced. The reactions were studied as a function of temperature, pressure and flow rate and in the case of the reaction with styrene compared against a standard, stirred autoclave reaction. Conversion was determined and, in the case of the reaction with styrene, the isomeric product distribution was monitored by GC. In the case of the reaction with methyl acrylate the reactor was scaled from a 1.0 mm to 3.9 mm internal diameter and the conversion and turnover frequency determined. The results show that the Heck reaction can be effectively performed in scCO2 under continuous flow conditions with a palladium metal, phosphine-free catalyst, but care must be taken when selecting the reaction temperature in order to ensure the appropriate isomer distribution is achieved. Higher reaction temperatures were found to enhance formation of the branched terminal alkene isomer as opposed to the linear trans-isomer.
HLA Micropolymorphisms Strongly Affect Peptide–MHC Multimer–Based Monitoring of Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cell Responses
Authors: van Buuren Marit M. , Dijkgraaf Feline E. , Linnemann Carsten , Toebes Mireille , Chang Cynthia X. L. , Mok Juk Yee , Nguyen Melanie , van Esch Wim J. E. , Kvistborg Pia , Grotenbreg Gijsbert M. , Schumacher Ton N. M.
Published: December 2013

Peptide–MHC (pMHC) multimers have become one of the most widely used tools to measure Ag-specific T cell responses in humans. With the aim of understanding the requirements for pMHC-based personalized immunomonitoring, in which individuals expressing subtypes of the commonly studied HLA alleles are encountered, we assessed how the ability to detect Ag-specific T cells for a given peptide is affected by micropolymorphic differences between HLA subtypes. First, analysis of a set of 10 HLA-A*02:01–restricted T cell clones demonstrated that staining with pMHC multimers of seven distinct subtypes of the HLA-A*02 allele group was highly variable and not predicted by sequence homology. Second, to analyze the effect of minor sequence variation in a clinical setting, we screened tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of an HLA-A*02:06 melanoma patient with either subtype-matched or HLA-A*02:01 multimers loaded with 145 different melanoma-associated Ags. This revealed that of the four HLA-A*02:06–restricted melanoma-associated T cell responses observed in this patient, two responses were underestimated and one was overlooked when using subtype-mismatched pMHC multimer collections. To our knowledge, these data provide the first demonstration of the strong effect of minor sequence variation on pMHC-based personalized immunomonitoring, and they provide tools to prevent this issue for common variants within the HLA-A*02 allele group.
Extendable Chord Rotors for Helicopter Envelope Expansion and Performance Improvement
Authors: Khoshlahjeh Maryam , Gandhi Farhan
Published: December 2013

This study explores the benefits of rotor chord extension in stall-dominant conditions. Simulations are based on a UH-60A Blackhawk helicopter with an effective chord increase of 20% realized by extending a trailing-edge plate (TEP) through a slit in the trailing edge between 63% and
83% blade span. Since TEP extension changes the baseline SC-1094R8 airfoil profile, two-dimensional aerodynamic coefficients of the modified profile from Navier–Stokes computational fluid dynamics calculations are used, coupled with 12 × 12 dynamic inflow and the Leishman–Beddoes
dynamic stall model in the Rotorcraft Comprehensive Analysis System. While a fixed 20% larger chord produces comparable advantages to TEP extension in stall-dominant conditions, the rotor power requirements increase by up to nearly 4% for low gross weight, low-altitude operations, a penalty
easily avoided with TEP retracted. From the simulations in the study, reductions of up to nearly 18% in rotor power requirements were observed with TEP for operation at high gross weight and altitude. Furthermore, increases of around 18 kt in maximum speed, 1500 lb in maximum gross weight
capability, and 1800 ftin maximum altitude were observed. TEP extension generally reduces maximum angles of attack on the retreating side and weakens stall. Lift generally increases over the annulus where the TEP is present but reduces over the outer rim because the nose-down pitching moments
produce larger nose-down elastic tip twist. With TEP extension, the offloading of the outer rim reduces drag, rotor torque, and power.
Study of Seasonal Rainfall Infiltration via Time-Lapse Surface Electrical Resistivity Tomography: Case Study of Gamboa Area, Panama Canal Watershed
Authors: Mojica Alexis , Díaz Irving , Ho Carlos A. , Ogden Fred , Pinzón Reinhardt , Fábrega José , Vega David , Hendrickx Jan
Published: December 2013

The present investigation was focused on the variations in rainwater infiltration experienced by soils of Gamboa zone (Panama Canal Watershed) during various seasons of the year, employing a time-lapse analysis of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). In 2009, a total of 3 geoelectrical tests were undertaken during the dry, transition and rainy seasons across a profile 47 m in length, strategically distributed on site. The results obtained in this study showed strong variations in calculated resistivity between these seasons, taking the dry season as a reference with decreases and increases of percent difference of resistivity between -20% and -100%, and between 50% and 100%, respectively. These decreases, when displayed through a sequence of time-lapse images, reveal a superficial extension of the water content variations along the entire profile, as well as strong inversion artifacts showing false increases of calculated electrical resistivity. Decreases are the product of the rainfall increase obtained in this type of tropical environment; permanent conductive anomalies in 3 tests are associated with the streams close to the study site. The results of this work were compared with a simulation resulting from a series of bidimensional models applied to the 3 studies evaluated: dry, transition and rainy seasons.
Differential orbifold K-theory
Authors: Bunke Ulrich , Schick Thomas
Published: December 2013

We construct differential K-theory of representable smooth orbifolds as a ring valued functor with the usual properties of a differential extension of a cohomology theory. For proper submersions (with smooth fibres) we construct a push-forward map in differential orbifold K-theory. Finally, we construct a non-degenerate intersection pairing with values in

\mathbb{C}/\mathbb{Z}

for the subclass of smooth orbifolds which can be written as global quotients by a finite group action. We construct a real subfunctor of our theory, where the pairing restricts to a non-degenerate

\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z}

-valued pairing.
Scalar curvature for the noncommutative two torus
Authors: Fathizadeh Farzad , Khalkhali Masoud
Published: December 2013

We give a local expression for the
scalar curvature
of the noncommutative two torus

A_{\theta} = C(\mathbb{T}_{\theta}^2)

equipped with an arbitrary translation invariant complex structure and Weyl factor. This is achieved by evaluating the value of the (analytic continuation of the)
spectral zeta functional

\zeta_a(s):= \operatorname{Trace}(a \triangle^{-s})

at

s=0

as a linear functional in

a \in C^{\infty}(\mathbb{T}_{\theta}^2)

. A new, purely noncommutative, feature here is the appearance of the
modular automorphism group
from the theory of type III factors and quantum statistical mechanics in the final formula for the curvature. This formula coincides with the formula that was recently obtained independently by Connes and Moscovici in their paper [15].
Inteligência Organizacional e Competitiva e a Web 2.0
Authors: Tarapanoff Kira , Alvares Lillian Maria Araújo de Rezende
Published: December 2013

Analisam-se as possibilidades que se descortinam para a Inteligência Organizacional e Competitiva (IOC) sob a Web 2.0. A abordagem integrada baseada na Ciência e Gestão da Informação, Gestão do Conhecimento, Inteligência Competitiva e disciplinas correlatas, aponta algumas das principais iniciativas e metodologias de obtenção de inteligência neste contexto. Entende-se que o melhor aproveitamento da inteligência coletiva com vistas ao compartilhamento e à criação conjunta do conhecimento são suas características essenciais constituindo os elementos de base da IOC e, associadas a conceitos emergentes do mundo corporativo, como a sustentabilidade, apontam para o que podemos chamar de Inteligência Organizacional e Competitiva 2.0.
Roteiros de desenvolvimento de unidades de inteligência competitiva sob a ótica dos modelos de referência
Authors: Garcia Leonardo Guimarães
Published: December 2013

Modelos de referência são elaborações teóricas criadas para servirem de modelo para o desenvolvimento de operações e processos organizacionais. As normas ISO e o Modelo de Excelência da Gestão, da Fundação Nacional da Qualidade, são exemplos de modelos desse tipo, assim como os roteiros de desenvolvimento de unidades de Inteligência Competitiva (IC) propostos em Herring e Leavitt (2011) e em Hedin e Thieme (2010). O presente artigo analisa os roteiros de IC frente ao arcabouço conceitual dos modelos de referência, gerando um entendimento conceitualmente balizado de suas potencialidades e limitações. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica, referente aos modelos de referência e aos roteiros de IC supracitados, seguida pela avaliação dos roteiros segundo o modelo de Fette, Loss e Zwicker (2005), resultando na descrição das potencialidades e das limitações que os mesmos podem trazer às unidades de IC. Utilizando uma abordagem inédita de estudo dos roteiros, esse trabalho amplia o entendimento dos mesmos para além do que a simples leitura dos artigos que os descrevem poderia proporcionar, possibilitando dessa forma uma decisão mais consciente sobre o seu uso.
CCN activity of organic aerosols observed downwind of urban emissions during CARES
Authors: Mei F. , Setyan A. , Zhang Q. , Wang J.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. During the Carbonaceous Aerosols and Radiative Effects Study (CARES), activation fraction of size-resolved aerosol particles and aerosol chemical composition were characterized at the T1 site (~60 km downwind of Sacramento, California) from 10 June to 28 June 2010. The hygroscopicity of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN)-active particles (κCCN) with diameter from 100 to 170 nm, derived from the size-resolved activated fraction, varied from 0.10 to 0.21, with an average of 0.15, which was substantially lower than that proposed for continental sites. The low κCCN value was due to the high organic volume fraction, averaged over 80% at the T1 site. The derived κCCN exhibited little diurnal variation, consistent with the relatively constant organic volume fraction observed. At any time, over 90% of the size-selected particles with diameter between 100 and 171 nm were CCN active, suggesting most particles within this size range were aged background particles. Due to the large organic volume fraction, organic hygroscopicity (κorg) strongly impacted particle hygroscopicity and therefore calculated CCN concentration. For the vast majority of the cases, an increase of κorg from 0.03 to 0.18, which are within the typical range, doubled the calculated CCN concentration. Organic hygroscopicity was derived from κCCN and aerosol chemical composition, and its variations with the fraction of total organic mass spectral signal at m / z 44 (f44) and O : C were compared to results from previous studies. Overall, the relationships between κorg and f44 are quite consistent for organic aerosol (OA) observed during field studies and those formed in a smog chamber. Compared to the relationship between κorg and f44, the relationship between κorg and O : C exhibits more significant differences among different studies, suggesting κorg may be better parameterized using f44. A least squares fit yielded κorg = 2.10(±0.07) × f44 − 0.11(±0.01) with a Pearson R2 value of 0.71. One possible explanation for the stronger correlation between κorg and f44 is that the m / z 44 signal (mostly contributed by the CO2+ ion) is more closely related to organic acids, which may dominate the overall κorg due to their relatively high water solubility and hygroscopicity.
Physics of Stratocumulus Top (POST): turbulent mixing across capping inversion
Authors: Malinowski S. P. , Gerber H. , Jen-La Plante I. , Kopec M. K. , Kumala W. , Nurowska K. , Chuang P. Y. , Khelif D. , Haman K. E.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. High spatial resolution measurements of temperature and liquid water content, accompanied by moderate-resolution measurements of humidity and turbulence, collected during the Physics of Stratocumulus Top experiment are analyzed. Two thermodynamically, meteorologically and even optically different cases are investigated. An algorithmic division of the cloud-top region into layers is proposed. Analysis of dynamic stability across these layers leads to the conclusion that the inversion capping the cloud and the cloud-top region is turbulent due to the wind shear, which is strong enough to overcome the high static stability of the inversion. The thickness of this mixing layer adapts to wind and temperature jumps such that the gradient Richardson number stays close to its critical value. Turbulent mixing governs transport across the inversion, but the consequences of this mixing depend on the thermodynamic properties of cloud top and free troposphere. The effects of buoyancy sorting of the mixed parcels in the cloud-top region are different in conditions that permit or prevent cloud-top entrainment instability. Removal of negatively buoyant air from the cloud top is observed in the first case, while buildup of the diluted cloud-top layer is observed in the second one.
Black carbon over the South China Sea and in various continental locations in South China
Authors: Wu D. , Wu C. , Liao B. , Chen H. , Wu M. , Li F. , Tan H. , Deng T. , Li H. , Jiang D. , Yu J. Z.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) is an important atmospheric constituent as an air pollutant and as a climate forcer. To our knowledge, field measurements of BC have not been reported over the South China Sea. Observations of light-absorption coefficients (σabs) and BC concentrations by Aethalometer were conducted on Yongxing Island in the South China Sea and at five continental sites in the Pearl River delta (PRD) region, South China, in two periods: 16 May–20 June 2008 in the rainy season and 12 December 2008–8 January 2009 in the dry season. At the oceanic site, the daily average BC concentrations varied from 0.28 to 2.14 μg m−3 and variations of BC were small between the two periods (0.67 in the dry season sampling period and 0.54 μg m−3 in the rainy season sampling period). Similarly, little difference in BC level was found at a rural site in PRD between the two sampling periods (2.88 and 2.62 μg m–3). At the PRD urban sites, the daily average concentration of BC ranged from 1.56 to 37.9 μg m−3, higher in the dry season sampling period (12.31 μg m–3) and lower in the rainy season sampling period (6.17 μg m–3). The observed average σabs values in rainy vs. dry season sampling periods are 119 vs. 62 Mm−1 at the PRD urban sites, 29 vs. 26 Mm−1 at the PRD background site, and 8.4 vs. 7.2 Mm−1 at the marine site. At urban/suburban PRD sites, BC was observed to have a diurnal pattern of higher concentrations at night and at the urban sites a small peak in the early morning rush hour.
Tracer dispersion in bedload transport
Authors: Lajeunesse E. , Devauchelle O. , Houssais M. , Seizilles G.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Bedload particles entrained by rivers tends to disperse as they move downstream. In this paper, we use the erosion-deposition model of Charru et al. (2004) to describe the velocity and the spreading of a plume of tracer particles. We restrict our analysis to steady-state transport above a flat bed of uniform sediment. The transport of tracer particles is then controlled by downstream advection and particle exchange with the immobile bed. After a transitional regime dominated by initial conditions, the evolution of a plume of markers tends asymptotically towards classical advection-diffusion: its average position grows linearly with time, whereas it spreads like the square root of time.
Hydro- and morphodynamics in curved river reaches – recent results and directions for future research
Authors: Blanckaert K. , Constantinescu G. , Uijttewaal W. , Chen Q.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Curved river reaches were investigated as an example of river configurations where three-dimensional processes prevail. Similar processes occur, for example, in confluences and bifurcations, or near hydraulic structures such as bridge piers and abutments. Some important processes were investigated in detail in the laboratory, simulated numerically by means of eddy-resolving techniques, and finally parameterized in long-term and large-scale morphodynamic models. Investigated flow processes include secondary flow, large-scale coherent turbulence structures, shear layers and flow separation at the convex inner bank. Secondary flow causes a redistribution of the flow and a transverse inclination of the riverbed, which favour erosion of the outer bank and meander migration. Secondary flow generates vertical velocities that impinge on the riverbed, and are known to increase the erosive capacity of the flow. Large-scale turbulent coherent structures also increase the sediment entrainment and transport capacity. Both processes are not accounted for in sediment transport formulae, which leads to an underestimation of the bend scour and the erosion of the outer bank. Eddy-resolving numerical models are computationally too expensive to be implemented in long-term and large-scale morphodynamic models. But they provide insight in the flow processes and broaden the investigated parameter space. Results from laboratory experiments and eddy-resolving numerical models were at the basis of the development of a new parameterization without curvature restrictions of secondary flow effects, which is applicable in long-term and large-scale morphodynamic models. It also led to the development of a new engineering technique to modify the flow and the bed morphology by means of an air-bubble screen. The rising air bubbles generate secondary flow, which redistributes the patterns of flow, boundary shear stress and sediment transport.
Implementation of a 3D-Var system for atmospheric profiling data assimilation into the RAMS model: initial results
Authors: Federico S.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. This paper presents the current status of development of a three-dimensional variational data assimilation system (3D-Var). The system can be used with different numerical weather prediction models, but it is mainly designed to be coupled with the Regional Atmospheric Modelling System (RAMS). Analyses are given for the following parameters: zonal and meridional wind components, temperature, relative humidity, and geopotential height. Important features of the data assimilation system are the use of incremental formulation of the cost function, and the representation of the background error by recursive filters and the eigenmodes of the vertical component of the background error covariance matrix. This matrix is estimated by the National Meteorological Center (NMC) method. The data assimilation and forecasting system is applied to the real context of atmospheric profiling data assimilation, and in particular to the short-term wind prediction. The analyses are produced at 20 km horizontal resolution over central Europe and extend over the whole troposphere. Assimilated data are vertical soundings of wind, temperature, and relative humidity from radiosondes, and wind measurements of the European wind profiler network. Results show the validity of the analyses because they are closer to the observations (lower root mean square error (RMSE)) compared to the background (higher RMSE), and the differences of the RMSEs are in agreement with the data assimilation settings. To quantify the impact of improved initial conditions on the short-term forecast, the analyses are used as initial conditions of three-hours forecasts of the RAMS model. In particular two sets of forecasts are produced: (a) the first uses the ECMWF analysis/forecast cycle as initial and boundary conditions; (b) the second uses the analyses produced by the 3D-Var as initial conditions, then it is driven by the ECMWF forecast. The improvement is quantified by considering the horizontal components of the wind, which are measured at asynoptic times by the European wind profiler network. The results show that the RMSE is effectively reduced at the short range. The results are in agreement with the set-up of the numerical experiment.
Introduction to the in orbit test and its performance of the first meteorological imager of the Communication, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite
Authors: Kim D. , Ahn M. H.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. The first geostationary earth observation satellite of Korea, named Communication, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite (COMS), is successfully launched on 27 June 2010 in Korea Standard Time. After arrival of its operational orbit, the satellite underwent in orbit test (IOT) lasting for about 8 months. During the IOT period, the meteorological imager went through tests for its functional and performance demonstration. With the successful acquisition of the first visible channel image, signal chain from the payload to satellite bus and to the ground is also verified. While waiting for the outgassing operation, several functional tests for the payload are also performed. By taking an observation of different sizes of image, of various object targets such as the Sun, moon, and internal calibration target, it has been demonstrated that the payload performs as commanded, satisfying its functional requirements. After successful operation of outgassing which lasted about 40 days, the first set of infrared images is also successfully acquired and the full performance test started. The radiometric performance of the meteorological imager is tested by signal to noise ratio (SNR) for the visible channel, noise equivalent differential temperature (NEdT) for the infrared channels, and pixel to pixel non-uniformity. In case of the visible channel, SNR of all 8 detectors are obtained using the ground measured parameters and background signals obtained in orbit and are larger than 26 at 5% albedo, exceeding the user requirement value of 10 with a significant margin. The values at 100% albedo also meet the user requirements. Also, the relative variability of detector responsivity among the 8 visible channels meets the user requirement, showing values of about 10% of the user requrirement. For the infrared channels, the NEdT of each detector is well within the user requirement and is comparable with or better than the legacy instruments, except the water vapor channel which is slightly noisier than the legacy instruments. The variability of detector responsivity of infrared channels is also below the user requirement, within 40% of the requirement except shortwave infrared channel. The improved performance result is partly due to the stable and low detector temperature obtained with the spacecraft design, by installing a single solar panel to the opposite side of the meteorological imager.