bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modal Parameters Identification Based on Noise Cancellation from Measured Vibration Response Signals
Authors: Bao Xing Xian , Li Cui Lin
Published: February 2011

Measured vibration response signals are inevitably contaminated with noise when a data acquisition system is used for an experimental measurement. This situation often leads to serious difficulties in identifying the modal parameters with proper accuracy. This paper presents a noise cancellation method for measured impulsive response functions (IRFs) based on structured low rank approximation (SLRA) so as to improve the accuracy of the modal parameters identification. Numerical study of a cantilever beam model is carried out to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. The results show that this method can remove noise from measured IRFs efficiently, and the modal parameter identifications based on the filtered IRFs are very good.
A Method of DEL Resources Matching DEL Needs
Authors: Liu S.Q. , Zhang L.Y.
Published: February 2011

The dialectical relationship between disaster emergency logistics (DEL) resources and DEL needs shows that DEL tasks are rooted in DEL needs, and the implementations of DEL tasks are limited by DEL resources. What’s more, the DEL resources shortage and the implementation of the DEL tasks directly affect the DEL needs. But how to reconcile the shortage of DEL resources and wide DEL needs will be very important, so a mathematical method for DEL contradiction is developed in this study. The aim is to coordinate logistics support for relief operations. The variety and extension of DEL needs can match the shortage of DEL resources. The urgency-attribute vector is made to represent the urgency degree of logistics task, and logistics task urgency order sequence can be got through the AHP based on logistics expert judging ability difference and fuzzy comprehensive method. So resources can be allotted to the task with the sequence of high priority, and with the sequence updating, the re-releasing logistics can be allocated again.
Comparison and Analysis on Four International Seismic Isolation Design Codes for Bridge
Authors: Zhong Tie Yi , Lv Ji Ying , Feng Jun Hui
Published: February 2011

As one kind of primary passive vibration control technology, the seismic isolation technology provides a new way for anti-seismic of bridge and has got initial application in practical bridge engineering. Some standard clauses have been added into the international codes including Eurocode 8, codes of AASHTO and Japan Highway as well as China Highway. In this paper, using the finite element program Sap2000, a three spans continuous beam bridge is taken as practical calculation example for analysis and comparison based on four codes above. The research results provide important reference for further research and practical application of bridge vibration reduction and isolation.
Detection of Damage Extension in Cantilever Beams Using Change Ratio of Frequency Response Functions
Authors: Jia Hai Lei , Zhao Yin
Published: February 2011

Frequency response function (FRF) is a fundamental dynamic index, which is capable of reflecting structural dynamic properties using full-spectrum information. In spite of distinct merits over conventional modal parameters, the FRF has an observable drawback of multi-dimensionality, unsuited for damage characterization. Such a situation motivates an interesting subject, i.e., extracting low-dimensional, high-sensitivity damage index from the FRF. This study focuses on developing a valid damage index, called FRF change ratio, to detect extension of damage. An experiment towards cantilever beams is systemically conducted. The results show that the FRF change ratio can effectively reflects damage extension, and it is more sensitive than conventional natural frequencies. This new damage index holds promise for practical damage detection in beam-like structures.
Simulation & Prediction of Pacific Plastic Pollution
Authors: Li Cao , Xu Yu , Xu Yi Shi , Kang Xu Sheng
Published: February 2011

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch which characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of suspended plastic, chemical sludge, and other debris, has a variety of severe influence on the marine life and human beings. Therefore, cleaning up the patch immediately is a matter of great urgency. To solve the problem, three models which are based on different differential equations to predict the amount of waste plastic poured into the ocean are established. According to the basic model, in about next 20 years, the Pacific Ocean will be unable to hold more garbage. Based on the fact that salvaging the waste plastic in the ocean contributes to controlling marine pollution, in accordance with the better model, the Pacific Ocean still has the ability to accommodate garbage before 2060. By improving the better model, a series of results are obtained. Around 2060, the area of the Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch will reach relatively steady state; meanwhile, the annual emissions of the plastic will reach 32,397,273.47 tons. To keep a relatively stable state the area which should be cleaned up will reach about 3,601,672 square kilometers per year. To compare the effect of government increasing taxation and plastic salvaging, a conclusion is reached that the huge economic losses caused by taxes are far more than the amount of money spent in salvaging the plastic garbage.
Numerical Simulation of Small Cold Storage
Authors: Zhong Xiao Hui , Zhai Yu Ling , Gou Yun Jun
Published: February 2011

The airflow change in cold storage were simulated by FLUENT under following three conditions, pre-cooling, stop to defrost and switch cold storage door. The result shows that the pre-cooling wind speed should be chose reasonably while guarantees the pre-cooling effort, hot air defrost had a favorable defrosting performance, and it is essential to seek optimal defrosting time according to the frost thickness and energy consume. The temperature field near the switch door was analyzed, and the temperature gradient near the switch door is considerable, but the outdoor air can be obstructed by increase air curtain.
Effect on Galena Oxidation Process of Temperature and Oxide Concentration
Authors: Bing Cao , Nan Cui , Yang Wu
Published: February 2011

In this thesis,a series of oxidation experiments on galena are conducted under different condition such as pH is 2,temperature is 50°C and 25°C.After the experiment is completed,The rate constant,reaction order，reaction reaction rate and energy of activation are also analyzed and computed.The effects of temperature and oxidized medium on lead ore oxidation speed were studied. Under the condition of 50°C, The rate of oxidation reaction is increase when concentration is 100mg/l.The higher the concentration the more sulfuric acid ion,the easier to produce sediment of lead sulfate , so the reaction will be impeded .the reaction will be extremely slow or even can’t carry on at 25°C.
Method of Concept-Drifting Feature Extracting in Data Streams Based on Granular Computing
Authors: Ju Chun Hua , Shuai Zhao Qian
Published: February 2011

Business data streams are dynamic and easy to drift, extract concept-drifting feature is one important work of data streams mining. This paper describes the characteristics and the concept drift of data streams, and constructs the formal concept description model of streaming data based on granular computing firstly. Then, the paper proposes the concept lattice pairs’ based concept relaxation-matching coincidence degree algorithm; the feature extraction method is also described. Finally, experiment and analysis are presented in order to explain and evaluate the method.
A Survey on Nurses’ Job Burnout and Factors Analysis in Tangshan Private Hospitals
Authors: Su Yu , Wang Zhuo , Bian Ya Dong , Peng Yan Bo
Published: February 2011

With transformation of medical model and development of medical and health service, nurses often appear the phenomenon of job burnout. Sampling questionnaire of nurses’ formal backgrounds and MBI-SS, we conduct a survey on 280 re-post professional nurses who have been working for one or more years to know the present situation of job burnout and to analyze relative factors, thus providing a theoretical basis for solving the problem of nurses’ job burnout in Tangshan private hospitals. The result shows that the job burnout phenomenon is widespread; the job burnout level of male nurses is lower; PD’ nurses are easier to feel burnout and ED’ nurses have low personal accomplishment; the more satisfaction to higher salary, the lower of their job burnout. All these indicate that, it does help to relieve nurses’ sense of burnout, if we arrange their job volume appropriately, improve their treatment.
Comparison of BP Neural Network Model and Logistic Regression in the Analysis of Influencing Factors of Violence in Hospitals
Authors: Wu Jian Hui , Wang Guo Li , Li Xiao Ming , Yin Su Feng
Published: February 2011

Collecting violence cases for medical personnel from different levels of the hospital of Tangshan, we create a model for influential factors of hospital violence, and respectively with BP Nerve Network and logistic regression, by sensitivity, specificity and ROC curve, it is compared with two methods,in order to discovering effective analytical method . The training set and testing set sensitivity of BP Neural Network Model are 0.916 and 0.935,and the specificity is 0.447 and 0.526,the area of ROC curve is 0.769 and 0.785；for logistic regression Model ,for its the training set and testing set, sensitivity is 0.907 and 0.925, the specificity is 0.377 and 0.404, the area of ROC curve is 0.663and0.666. In hospital violence influencing factors, the forecast capability of BP Neural Network Model is better than logistic regression Model and it has farther extend value.
Application of the BP Nerve Network Model in the Analysis of Factors Affecting Hospitalization Expenses
Authors: Wang Guo Li , Wu Jian Hui , Li Ting , Li Xiao Ming
Published: February 2011

Collected 2218 medical records of cerebral infarction patients from 2007 to 2008 in a third-class hospital in Tang Shan as sample. A statistical analysis was made of the hospitalization expenses and its influencing factors by BP nerve network model to identify the factors affecting hospitalization expense by using BP nerve network model. The results showed that the major factors impacting the hospitalization expense included age, hospitalization day, therapeutic result and emergency medical treatment. The sensitivity were: age is 0.91426, hospitalization day is 0.32131, therapeutic result is 0.19722, emergency medical treatment is 0.27564. BP nerve network model is a powerful analytical tool for hospitalization expenses and its influencing factors analysis.
Application of Factor Analysis in the Research of Hospital Medical Expenses
Authors: Yin Su Feng , Wu Jian Hui , Wang Xiao Jing , Li Sha
Published: February 2011

Case records of inpatients in a hospital in Tangshan in 2007 and 2008 are chosen for factor analysis. This paper aims at finding the latent factors influencing inpatients' medical expense. By analysing the factors which controlling and influencing inpatients' medical expense, the practical value of factor analysis in the study of medical expense is evaluated, and an analysis method in line with the structure of hospital medical expenses and its characteristics is tentatively explored. The paper comes to the conclusion that the factor of basic expense, the operation factor and the examination factor are the common factors which control and influence inpantients' medical expense. It is implied that factor analysis is a proper method used in research of hospital medical expenses.
Based on BP Neural Network Discrete Data Forecast
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Guo Li , Wu Jian Hui , Su Yu
Published: February 2011

Artificial neural network is based on human brain structure and operational mechanism based on knowledge and understanding of its structure and behavior of simulated an engineering system. BP artificial neural network is an important component of neural networks, as it can on the linear or nonlinear multivariable without preconditions in the case of statistical analysis, with the traditional statistical methods, analysis of the variables need to be consistent with certain conditions compared to its own advantage. The BP neural network does not need the precise mathematical model, does not have any supposition request to the material itself. Its processing non-linear problem's ability is stronger than traditional statistical methods. This article uses two groups of data to establish the BP neural network model separately, and carries on the comparison to the model fitting ability and the forecast performance, discovered BP neural network when data distribution relative centralism fits ability, forecasts the stable property. But the predictive ability is unable in the discrete data application to achieve anticipated ideally.
Multi-Sensor Network Design Based on Intelligent Node
Authors: Tian Zuo Xi , Dong Z , Yang G Y , Chen C J
Published: February 2011

To resolve the problem of data transmitting in multi-sensor network possessing of a lot of sensors and processing sensors signals on the same time base and transmitting the results remotely, a three classes’ bus topology structure based on intelligent node was designed. The system comprised scene devices, transmission cable, and console. The scene devices included several gateways, more nodes and sensor groups. The console communicated remotely with gateways via Ethernet, and gateway communicated with nodes via CAN bus, each node managed a group of sensors via RS-485 bus. The designs of intelligent node were presented in detail including hardware design, transport protocols, as well as program flow. Above conceptual design was applied successfully in a certain multi-sensor network system principle prototype consisting of a console, a gateway and three nodes possessing of ten sensors. The results prove the conceptual design feasible.
Damping Parameter Identification of Large Span Cable-Stayed Bridges
Authors: Bu Zhan Yu , Xie Xu , Ding Yong
Published: February 2011

The damping makeup of large span cable-stayed bridges is complicated. The damping matrices of such structures cannot be easily accurately determined. On assumption of the damping coefficients of substructures in cable-stayed bridge (such as girder, tower, cable and support et al) are constants, a method to estimate the damping coefficients and damping matrices of such structures is presented. The method is based on several known modal damping ratios and the calculation of complex eigenvalue and eigenvector utilizing the state-space methodology. Numerical simulation was carried out by the example of Tatara Bridge. Through comparison between the calculated damping ratios utilizing the approximated damping matrices and the field test data, the method is proved valid.
Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusions in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Collins Tara Ann
Published: February 2011

Anemia, which is prevalent in critically ill patients, often requires frequent blood transfusions. These blood transfusions are not without risks. A critical review of 6 studies shows an association between red blood cell transfusion and increased mortality. However, when disease state was adjusted for in 2 studies, researchers found that red blood cell transfusion correlated with decreased mortality. Thus further research, particularly on leukoreduction and age of stored blood, must be done before a change in practice can be implemented. It is vital that nurses stay current on this research in order to improve patients’ outcomes.
Subendocardial Fibrosis in Left Ventricular Hypertrabeculation-Cause or Consequence?
Authors: Ker J. , Du Toit-Prinsloo L. , Van Heerden W.F.P. , Saayman G.
Published: February 2011

Left ventricular noncompaction has been classified as a primary cardiomyopathy with a genetic origin. This condition is morphologically characterized by a thickened, two-layered myocardium with numerous prominent trabeculations and deep, intertrabecular recesses. Recently, it has become clear that these pathological characteristics extend across a continuum with left ventricular hypertrabeculation at one end of the spectrum.

The histological findings include areas of interstitial fibrosis.

We present a case of left ventricular hypertrabeculation which presented as sudden infant death syndrome. Histologically areas of subendocardial fibrosis was prominent and we propose that this entity may be a hidden cause of arrhythmic death in some infants presenting as sudden infant death syndrome., with areas of subendocardial fibrosis as possible arrhythmogenic foci.
Identification of the First Japanese Family Harboring a Novel Hemoglobin Variant “Perpignan”, Which Caused Low HbA1c Measurement During Diabetic Follow-Up
Authors: Nakamura Mami , Miyazaki Ayako , Takubo Takayuki , Matsuzawa Yoko , Saito Jun , Omura Masao , Nishikawa Tetsuo
Published: February 2011

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is an important parameter for evaluating long-term (6–8 weeks) control of blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus. We report a Japanese diabetic case who harbored abnormal Hb and demonstrated falsely low HbA1c levels in the regular ion exchange HPLC-based assay. His abnormal β-globin chain had an amino acid replacement that corresponded to glycine to serine substitution at amino acid position 136 of the β-globin chain (Hb Perpignan). Accordingly, a heterozygotic point mutation replacing guanine by adenine at nucleotide position 406 (β136G > S) was identified in the β-globin gene of the proband and his son. These results indicate that the patient had Hb Perpignan, and this abnormal Hb interfered with the HPLC-based HbA1c assay commonly used in the clinic. The cases presented are the first report of patients in the Japanese population harboring Hb Perpignan (β136G > S).
Hydroxyl in the stratosphere and mesosphere – Part 1: Diurnal variability
Authors: Minschwaner K. , Manney G. L. , Wang S. H. , Harwood R. S.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Diurnal variations in hydroxyl (OH) in the stratosphere and mesosphere are analyzed using measurements from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS). The primary driver for OH diurnal variations is the ultraviolet actinic flux that initiates the photochemical production of reactive hydrogen species. The magnitude of this flux is governed largely by changes in solar zenith angle (SZA) throughout the day, and OH diurnal variations are well approximated by an exponential function of the secant of SZA. Measured OH concentrations are fit to a function of the form exp[−βsec(SZA)], where the parameter β is a function of altitude. We examine the magnitude of β and show that it is related to the optical depths of ultraviolet absorption by ozone and molecular oxygen. Values of β from SLIMCAT model simulations show the same vertical structure as those from MLS and the average level of agreement between model and measurements is 6%. The vertical profile of β from MLS can be represented by a simple analytic formulation involving the ozone and water vapor photodissociation rates. This formulation is used to infer the altitude dependence of the primary production mechanisms for OH: the reaction of excited-state atomic oxygen with water vapor versus the direct photodissociation of water vapor.
Source apportionment of size and time resolved trace elements and organic aerosols from an urban courtyard site in Switzerland
Authors: Richard A. , Gianini M. F. D. , Mohr C. , Furger M. , Bukowiecki N. , Minguillón M. C. , Lienemann P. , Flechsig U. , Appel K. , DeCarlo P. F. , Heringa M. F. , Chirico R. , Baltensperger U. , Prévôt A. S. H.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Time and size resolved data of trace elements were obtained from measurements with a rotating drum impactor (RDI) and subsequent X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Trace elements can act as indicators for the identification of sources of particulate matter <10 μm (PM10) in ambient air. Receptor modeling was performed with positive matrix factorization (PMF) for trace element data from an urban background site in Zürich, Switzerland. Eight different sources were identified for the three examined size ranges (PM1−0.1, PM2.5−1 and PM10−2.5): secondary sulfate, wood combustion, fire works, road traffic, mineral dust, de-icing salt, industrial and local anthropogenic activities. The major component was secondary sulfate for the smallest size range; the road traffic factor was found in all three size ranges. This trace element analysis is complemented with data from an Aerodyne high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS), assessing the PM1 fraction of organic aerosols. A separate PMF analysis revealed three factors related to three of the sources found with the RDI: oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA, related to inorganic secondary sulfate), hydrocarbon like organic aerosol (HOA, related to road traffic) and biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA), explaining 60%, 22% and 17% of total measured organics, respectively. Since different compounds are used for the source classification, a higher percentage of the ambient PM10 mass concentration can be apportioned to sources by the combination of both methods.
On the relationship between low cloud variability and lower tropospheric stability in the Southeast Pacific
Authors: Sun F. , Hall A. , Qu X.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. In this study, we examine observed marine low cloud variability in the southeast Pacific and its association with lower-tropospheric stability (LTS) across a spectrum of timescales. On both daily and interannual timescales, LTS and low cloud amount are very well correlated in austral summer (DJF). Meanwhile in winter (JJA), when ambient LTS increases, the LTS-low cloud relationship disintegrates. The DJF LTS-low cloud relationship also weakens in years with unusually large ambient LTS values. These are generally strong El Niño years, in which DJF LTS values are comparable to those typically found in JJA. Thus the LTS-low cloud relationship is strongly modulated by the seasonal cycle and the ENSO phenomenon. We also investigate the origin of LTS anomalies closely associated with low cloud variability during austral summer. We find that the ocean and atmosphere are independently involved in generating anomalies in LTS and hence variability in the southeast Pacific low cloud deck. This highlights the coupled nature of the climate system in this region, and raises the possibility of cloud feedbacks related to LTS. We conclude by addressing the implications of the observed LTS-low cloud relationship in the southeast Pacific for low cloud feedbacks in anthropogenic climate change.
A thermal infrared instrument onboard a geostationary platform for CO and O3 measurements in the lowermost troposphere: observing system simulation experiments
Authors: Claeyman M. , Attié J.-L. , Peuch V.-H. , El Amraoui L. , Lahoz W. A. , Josse B. , Joly M. , Barré J. , Ricaud P. , Massart S. , Piacentini A. , von Clarmann T. , Höpfner M. , Orphal J. , Flaud J.-M. , Edwards D. P.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. This paper presents observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) to compare the relative capabilities of two geostationary thermal infrared (TIR) instruments to monitor ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO) for air quality (AQ) purposes over Europe. The originality of this study is to use OSSEs to assess how these infrared instruments can constrain different errors affecting AQ hindcasts and forecasts (emissions, meteorology, initial condition and the 3 parameters together). The first instrument (GEO-TIR) has a configuration optimized to monitor O3 and CO in the lowermost tr posphere (LmT; defined to be the atmosphere between the surface and 3 km), and the second instrument (GEO-TIR2) is designed to monitor temperature and humidity. Both instruments measure radiances in the same spectral TIR band. Results show that GEO-TIR could have a significant impact (GEO-TIR is closer to the reference atmosphere than GEO-TIR2) on the analyses of O3 and CO LmT column. The value of the measurements for both instruments is mainly over the Mediterranean Basin and some impact can be found over the Atlantic Ocean and Northern Europe. The impact of GEO-TIR is mainly above 1 km for O3 and CO but can also improve the surface analyses for CO. The analyses of GEO-TIR2 show low impact for O3 LmT column but a significant impact (but lower than for GEO-TIR) for CO above 1 km. The results of this study indicate the beneficial impact from an infrared instrument (GEO-TIR) dedicated to monitoring O3 and CO concentrations in the LmT, and quantify the value of this information for constraining AQ models.
Topside ionospheric vertical electron density profile reconstruction using GPS and ionosonde data: possibilities for South Africa
Authors: Sibanda P. , McKinnell L. A.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Successful empirical modeling of the topside ionosphere relies on the availability of good quality measured data. The Alouette, ISIS and Intercosmos-19 satellite missions provided large amounts of topside sounder data, but with limited coverage of relevant geophysical conditions (e.g., geographic location, diurnal, seasonal and solar activity) by each individual mission. Recently, methods for inferring the electron density distribution in the topside ionosphere from Global Positioning System (GPS)-based total electron content (TEC) measurements have been developed. This study is focused on the modeling efforts in South Africa and presents the implementation of a technique for reconstructing the topside ionospheric electron density (Ne) using a combination of GPS-TEC and ionosonde measurements and empirically obtained Upper Transition Height (UTH). The technique produces reasonable profiles as determined by the global models already in operation. With the added advantage that the constructed profiles are tied to reliable measured GPS-TEC and the empirically determined upper transition height, the technique offers a higher level of confidence in the resulting Ne profiles.
Seasonal variations of belowground carbon transfer assessed by in situ 13CO2 pulse labelling of trees
Authors: Epron D. , Ngao J. , Dannoura M. , Bakker M. R. , Zeller B. , Bazot S. , Bosc A. , Plain C. , Lata J. C. , Priault P. , Barthes L. , Loustau D.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Soil CO2 efflux is the main source of CO2 from forest ecosystems and it is tightly coupled to the transfer of recent photosynthetic assimilates belowground and their metabolism in roots, mycorrhiza and rhizosphere microorganisms feeding on root-derived exudates. The objectives of our study were to assess patterns of belowground carbon allocation among tree species and along seasons. Pure 13CO2 pulse labelling of the entire crown of three different tree species (beech, oak and pine) was carried out at distinct phenological stages. Excess 13C in soil CO2 efflux was tracked using tunable diode laser absorption spectrometry to determine time lags between the start of the labelling and the appearance of 13C in soil CO2 efflux and the amount of 13C allocated to soil CO2 efflux. Isotope composition (δ13C) of CO2 respired by fine roots and soil microbes was measured at several occasions after labelling, together with δ13C of bulk root tissue and microbial carbon. Time lags ranged from 0.5 to 1.3 days in beech and oak and were longer in pine (1.6–2.7 days during the active growing season, more than 4 days during the resting season), and the transfer of C to the microbial biomass was as fast as to the fine roots. The amount of 13C allocated to soil CO2 efflux was estimated from a compartment model. Seasonal patterns of carbon allocation to soil CO2 efflux differed markedly between species, with pronounced seasonal variations in pine and beech. In beech, it may reflect competition with other sinks (aboveground growth in late spring and storage in late summer) that were not observed in oak.
Rapid transfer of photosynthetic carbon through the plant-soil system in differently managed grasslands
Authors: De Deyn G. B. , Quirk H. , Oakley S. , Ostle N. , Bardgett R. D.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Plant-soil interactions are central to short-term carbon (C) cycling through the rapid transfer of recently assimilated C from plant roots to soil biota. In grassland ecosystems, changes in C cycling are likely to be influenced by land use and management that changes vegetation and the associated soil microbial communities. Here we tested whether changes in grassland vegetation composition resulting from management for plant diversity influences short-term rates of C assimilation, retention and transfer from plants to soil microbes. To do this, we used an in situ 13C-CO2 pulse-labeling approach to measure differential C uptake among different plant species and the transfer of the plant-derived 13C to key groups of soil microbiota across selected treatments of a long-term plant diversity grassland restoration experiment. Results showed that plant taxa differed markedly in the rate of 13C assimilation and retention: uptake was greatest and retention lowest in Ranunculus repens, and assimilation was least and retained longest in mosses. Incorporation of recent plant-derived 13C was maximal in all microbial phosopholipid fatty acid (PLFA) markers at 24 h after labeling. The greatest incorporation of 13C was in the PLFA 16:1ω5, a marker for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), while after one week most 13C was retained in the PLFA 18:2ω6,9 which is indicative of assimilation of plant-derived 13C by saprophytic fungi. Our results of 13C assimilation, transfer and retention within plant species and soil microbes were consistent across management treatments. Overall, our findings suggest that changes in vegetation and soil microbial composition resulting from differences in long-term grassland management will affect short-term cycling of photosynthetic C, but that restoration management does not alter the short-term C uptake and transfer within plant species and within key groups of soil microbes. Moreover, across all treatments we found that plant-derived C is rapidly transferred specifically to AMF and decomposer fungi, indicating their consistent key role in the cycling of recent plant derived C.
Continuous and self-consistent CO2 and climate records over the past 20 Myrs
Authors: van de Wal R. S. W. , de Boer B. , Lourens L. , Köhler P. , Bintanja R.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. The gradual cooling of the climate during the Cenozoic has generally been attributed to a decrease in CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. The lack of transient climate models and in particular the lack of high-resolution proxy records of CO2, beyond the ice-core record prohibit however a full understanding of the inception of the Northern Hemisphere glaciation, as well as the mid-Pleistocene transition. Here we elaborate on an inverse modeling technique to reconstruct a continuous high-resolution CO2 record over the past 20 Ma, by decomposing the global deep-sea benthic δ18O record into a mutually consistent temperature and sea-level record, using a set of 1-D models of the major Northern and Southern Hemisphere ice sheets. We subsequently compared the modeled temperature record to ice core and proxy-derived CO2 data to reconstruct a continuous CO2 record over the past 20 Myrs. Results show a gradual decline from 450 ppmv around 15 Myrs ago to 280 ppmv for pre-industrial conditions, coinciding with a gradual cooling of the Northern Hemisphere land temperatures by approximately 12 K, whereas there is no long-term sea-level variation caused by ice-volume changes between 13 to 3 Myrs ago. We find no evidence for a change in climate sensitivity other than the expected decrease following from saturation of the absorption bands for CO2. The reconstructed CO2 record shows that the Northern Hemisphere glaciation starts once the average CO2 concentration drops below 265 ppmv after a period of strong decrease in CO2. Finally it might be noted that we observe only a small long-term change (23 ppmv) for CO2 during the mid-Pleistocene transition.
Evaluation of a present-day climate simulation with a new coupled atmosphere-ocean model GENMOM
Authors: Alder J. R. , Hostetler S. W. , Pollard D. , Schmittner A.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. We present a new, non-flux corrected AOGCM, GENMOM, that combines the GENESIS version 3 atmospheric GCM (Global Environmental and Ecological Simulation of Interactive Systems) and MOM2 (Modular Ocean Model version 2) nominally at T31 resolution. We evaluate GENMOM by comparison with reanalysis products (e.g., NCEP2) and three models used in the IPCC AR4 assessment. GENMOM produces a global temperature bias of 0.6 °C. Atmospheric features such as the jet stream structure and major semi-permanent sea level pressure centers are well simulated as is the mean planetary-scale wind structure that is needed to produce the correct position of stormtracks. Most ocean surface currents are reproduced except where they are not resolvable at T31 resolution. Overall, GENMOM captures reasonably well the observed gradients and spatial distributions of annual surface temperature and precipitation and the simulations are on par with other AOGCMs. Deficiencies in the GENMOM simulations include a warm bias in the surface temperature over the southern oceans, a split in the ITCZ and weaker-than-observed overturning circulation.
Outcomes of the 10th EGU Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Storms (2008)
Authors: Michaelides S. C. , Savvidou K. , Orphanou A. , Nicolaides K. , Tymvios F.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. This paper comprises a comprehensive account on the outcomes of the 10th Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Storms that was held in Cyprus from 22 to 24 September 2008. Selected papers presented during the Conference were published in two peer reviewed journals that were devoted to this event and are summarized in this concise report.
New findings on the effects of the İzmit Mw=7.4 and Düzce Mw=7.2 earthquakes
Authors: Kutoglu H. S. , Celik R. N. , Ozludemir M. T. , Güney C.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. The 17 August 1999 İzmit Mw=7.4 and the 12 November 1999 Düzce Mw=7.2 earthquakes caused a 150 km long surface rupture in the western part of the North Anatolian Fault. The coseismic slips along the fault line and the trace of the surface ruptures were studied in detail in Barka (1999), Reilinger et al. (2000), Cakir et al. (2003a, b) and Ergintav (2009) after the earthquakes. However, the basin to the east of Sapanca Lake was a black hole for all investigations because there was no geodetic network and no significant deformation that could be obtained by using InSAR techniques. In this study, findings on the abovementioned basin have been reinterpreted through a GPS network newly explored. This interpretation shows coseismic slips of between 2–3 m, and links the surface rupture to the main branch of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) in the east Sapanca basin.
The Capacity Building programmes of GITEWS – visions, goals, lessons learned, and re-iterated needs and demands
Authors: Schlurmann T. , Siebert M.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. It was envisioned that the framework of the German-Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System (GITEWS) should achieve an integral architecture and overarching technical design of an end-to-end tsunami early warning system (TEWS). In order to achieve this ambitious goal on a national and local level, a tailored set of capacity building measures has been started and implemented. The programme was meant and designed to meet requirements and urgent needs considering awareness raising campaigns, technical trainings and higher level education programs. These components have been integrated as complementary modules in order to ensure facilitating the early warning system to be operated, maintained and improved, and that institutions and people in coastal areas will respond adequately and timely in case of future tsunamis. Remarkable progress has been accomplished as well as programs and campaigns are being implemented in regard to a sustainable capacity development conducted by national institutions in Indonesia. Yet, local administrative and preparedness efforts on the Indonesian coastlines are still underdeveloped. This stems from the fact of missing links towards sustainable coastal zone management schemes on a broad local level. Yet, the demand and urgent need for an adequate and integrated disaster risk reduction and management addressing also other hazards in the region of interest is (still) substantial. Given the tragic loss of life and severe damages resulting from the December 2004 tsunami and recent series of severe earthquakes, the need for urgent mitigating action in the imperilled coastal regions of Sumatra and Java remains extremely high. The conceptual Capacity Building framework, its anticipated goals in the beginning of the project and, lately, the finally achieved objectives are promising. A significant contribution for mainstreaming scientific approaches and transfer methodological disaster risk reduction attempts towards other regions exposed to coastal hazards is still pending. Local authorities and researchers in tentative affected regions are now trained and enabled to disseminate and apply their knowledge and planning experience to other coastal regions in the area to help facilitating and multiplying effective disaster management plans and strategies. Yet, the Capacity Building framework within GITEWS also elucidated gaps in the early warning chain so that updated and to some extent re-iterated needs and demands in Capacity Building programs in any future research or development cooperation project are presented and discussed.
Some fundamentals of handheld snow surface thermography
Authors: Shea C. , Jamieson B.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. This paper presents the concepts needed to perform snow surface thermography with a modern thermal imager. Snow-specific issues in the 7.5 to 13 μm spectrum such as ice emissivity, photographic angle, operator heating, and others receive detailed review and discussion. To illustrate the usefulness of this measurement technique, various applications are presented. These include detecting spatial temperature variation on snow pit walls and measuring the dependence of heat conduction on grain type.
How I Learned to Stop Blaming Students
Authors: Dewey Jim
Published: February 2011

What one faculty member learned from student development professionals
Impact of Metal Contamination in Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Coletti Gianluca , Bronsveld Paula C. P. , Hahn Giso , Warta Wilhelm , Macdonald Daniel , Ceccaroli Bruno , Wambach Karsten , Le Quang Nam , Fernandez Juan M.
Published: February 2011

The impact of the transition metals iron, chromium, nickel, titanium and copper on solar‐cell performance is investigated. Each impurity is intentionally added to the silicon feedstock used to grow p‐type, directionally solidified, multicrystalline silicon ingots. A state‐of‐the‐art screen‐print solar‐cell process is applied to this material. Impurities like iron, chromium and titanium cause a reduction in the diffusion length. Nickel does not reduce the diffusion length significantly, but strongly affects the emitter recombination, reducing the solar‐cell performance significantly. Copper has the peculiarity of impacting both base‐bulk recombination as well as emitter recombination. Two models based on the Scheil distribution of impurities are derived to fit the degradation along the ingot. Solar‐cell performances are modelled as a function of base‐bulk recombination and emitter‐bulk recombination. The model fits the experimental data very well and is also successfully validated. Unexpectedly, the distribution of impurities along the ingot, due to segregation phenomena (Scheil distribution), leaves its finger‐print even at the end of the solar‐cell process. A measure of impurity impact is defined as the level of impurity that causes a degradation in cell performance of less than 2% up to 90% of the ingot height. The advantage of this impurity‐impact metric is that it comprises the different impurities’ physical characters in one single parameter, which is easy to compare.
V2O5 Nano‐Electrodes with High Power and Energy Densities for Thin Film Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Yanyi , Clark Michael , Zhang Qifeng , Yu Danmei , Liu Dawei , Liu Jun , Cao Guozhong
Published: February 2011

Nanostructured V2O5 thin films have been prepared by means of cathodic deposition from an aqueous solution made from V2O5 and H2O2 directly on fluorine‐doped tin oxide coated (FTO) glasses followed by annealing at 500°C in air, and studied as film electrodes for lithium ion batteries. XPS results show that the as‐deposited films contained 15% V4+, however after annealing all the vanadium is oxidized to V5+. The crystallinity, surface morphology, and microstructures of the films have been investigated by means of XRD, SEM, and AFM. The V2O5 thin film electrodes show excellent electrochemical properties as cathodes for lithium ion intercalation: a high initial discharge capacity of 402 mA h g−1 and 240 mA h g−1 is retained after over 200 cycles with a discharging rate of 200 mA g−1 (1.3 C). The specific energy density is calculated as 900 W h kg−1 for the 1st cycle and 723 W h kg−1 for the 180th cycle when the films are tested at 200 mA g−1 (1.3 C). When discharge/charge is carried out at a high current density of 10.5 A g−1 (70 C), the thin film electrodes retain a good discharge capacity of 120 mA h g−1, and the specific power density is over 28 kW kg−1.
Importance of including all pregnancy outcomes to reduce bias in epidemiologic studies of neural tube defects—Texas, 1999 to 2005
Authors: Parks Sharyn E. , Canfield Mark A. , Ramadhani Tunu A.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND

Neural tube defects (NTDs) often result in fetal death or elective termination; therefore, not all cases are captured in typical hospital‐based surveillance. We examined sociodemographic differences among pregnancy outcomes to assess sources of bias in NTD surveillance and research.

METHODS

We used 1999 to 2005 Texas Birth Defects Registry data, a population‐based active surveillance system, and calculated crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs). We then assessed the association of anencephaly and spina bifida with the selected characteristics, stratified by pregnancy outcomes (fetal death, elective termination, or live birth).

RESULTS

Data were available for 1852 NTD cases (anencephaly, 677; spina bifida, 954; and encephalocele, 221), resulting in 1211 live births, 236 fetal deaths, and 405 elective terminations. For both anencephaly and spina bifida, a significant excess of Hispanic mothers was observed among live‐birth cases (aPRs = 1.2–2.4), but not among mothers experiencing other pregnancy outcomes. Mothers of anencephaly cases resulting in a non‐live birth were more likely to be adolescents (aPRs = 2.4–2.7 for ages <20 years old vs. ages 25–29 years old), but this pattern was not observed for live‐birth cases. A trend of increasing anencephaly risk with increasing parity was demonstrated only among fetal‐death cases. For spina bifida, mothers of fetal‐death (but not live‐birth) cases were less likely to live along the Texas–Mexico border (aPR = 0.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Demographic differences across NTD pregnancy outcomes exist and are a potential source of bias. Inclusion of all pregnancy outcomes in NTD surveillance is vital in NTD monitoring and research. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and Characterization of Near‐Infrared Absorbing Benzannulated Aza‐BODIPY Dyes
Authors: Gresser Roland , Hummert Markus , Hartmann Horst , Leo Karl , Riede Moritz
Published: February 2011

A series of novel aza‐diisoindolmethine dyes 9 with six different aryl and heteroaryl groups at the indole moiety have been synthesized by the addition of aryl Grignard compounds to phthalodinitrile and subsequent reaction with formamide. A plausible reaction mechanism, through a Leuckart–Wallach‐type reduction has been confirmed by means of DFT calculations of the related transition and intermediate states. The corresponding boron difluoride complexes (10) of 9 were prepared in a subsequent reaction step and the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 9 and 10 have been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The aza‐diisoindolmethines 9 exhibit an absorption maximum in the range from 615 to 720 nm, whereas the complexes 10 show a bathochromically shifted absorption maximum between 681 and 793 nm. Measurements of 9 and 10 by cyclic voltammetry display fully reversible redox waves for the reduction and oxidation with higher potentials for 10. From the measured redox potentials, the HOMO and LUMO energy levels were calculated for 9 and 10. The frontier orbital energies, the energies of the absorption bands, as well as the orbitals involved in the absorption process were calculated with DFT and compared to the measured results of 9 and 10. The absorption maximum can be related to an intense HOMO–LUMO transition and the more‐pronounced stabilization of the LUMO upon complexation is the origin of the bathochromic shift of the absorption. Additionally, single‐crystal structures for two species, 10 d and 10 f, are reported.
Relationship Between Epicardial Fat Measured by 64‐Multidetector Computed Tomography and Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Iwasaki Kohichiro , Matsumoto Takeshi , Aono Hitoshi , Furukawa Hiroshi , Samukawa Masanobu
Published: February 2011

Background:

Epicardial fat (EF) is the visceral fat of the heart deposited under the visceral layer of the pericardium and has the same origin as abdominal visceral fat, which is shown to be strongly related to the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). We measured the volume of EF (EFV) by 64‐multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and studied the relationship between EFV and the severity of CAD.

Hypothesis

Epicardial fat volume increases steeply in patients with significant coronary artery stenosis and in those with severe coronary artery calcification.

Methods

We studied 197 patients with suspected CAD who underwent 64‐MDCT and coronary angiography. Cross‐sectional tomographic cardiac slices (3.0 mm thick) from base to apex (30 to 40 slices per heart) were traced semiautomatically and EFV was measured by assigning Hounsfield units ranging from −30 to −250 to fat.

Results

Epicardial fat volume was 99.4 ± 40.0 ml (range, 11.6 to 263.8 mL) and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was 267.2 ± 605.1 (range, 0 to 3780). There was a significant relationship between EFV and CACS (r = 0.210, P = 0.003). Patients with EFV >100 had a CACS that was significantly higher than in those with EFV <100 (384.0 ± 782.0 vs 174.8 ± 395.6; P = 0.016). The incidence of significant CAD was significantly higher in patients with EFV >100 compared with those with EFV <100 (40.2% vs 22.7%; P = 0.008). The EFV was significantly higher in patients with severe coronary artery stenosis and in those with severe coronary artery calcification (CACS >400).

Conclusions

Our results showed that EFV was associated with coronary atherosclerosis, and EFV increased steeply in patients with severe coronary artery stenosis and in those with severe coronary artery calcification. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.