bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extolling Blackness: The African Culture in The Color Purple
Authors: Sun Lei
Published: January 2017

Alice Walker, advocates African cultures in her epistolary novel The Color Purple. Underscoring the fact that quilt-making has an ancient history in the black community and presents the African tradition of folk art and the rich legacy of visual images in African culture, Walker employs the image of quilts and quilt-making to associate with the symbolic meaning of sisterhood, family history and self-creation. Also, she depicts Shug as the most popular character as a blues singer in the novel, to indicate that she acknowledges her mode of thinking that blues as one secular African tradition can deliver its spiritual power to African Americans.
Traumatic Narrative in Virginia Woolf’s Novel Mrs. Dalloway
Authors: Wang Jin , Xie Xiaoyu
Published: January 2017

Virginia Woolf was one of the greatest literary artists in the 20th century, pioneering the contemporary English literature with the stream-of-consciousness technique. Mrs. Dalloway is her representative work that centers on the internal description of the characters while presenting social conditions of the postwar Britain. This paper examines traumatic narratives of the two protagonists, Clarissa Dalloway and Septimus Warren Smith, and explores implications of the war as the primordial cause of the spiritual crisis.
Retrospects and Introspects of Researches on Listening Strategies at Home and Abroad
Authors: Zhou Huajie , Wang Zhi
Published: January 2017

Listening strategies refer to thoughts or activities that language learners often use in the process of listening. Listening strategies are the vital branches of learning strategies, and as researches of learning strategies become a specialized research field, researches of listening strategies have spread to the aspects of meta-cognitive strategies, cognitive strategies, socialized and affective strategies, strategy-training, strategy-guiding, strategy-instruction etc. In recent years, with the continuous efforts of scholars at home and abroad, researches of listening strategies tend to be more elaborate in depth and length, which reflects on research contents, research fields, research methods, research subjects etc. In this paper, the authors have mainly made researches on the research status quo of English listening strategies at home and abroad and have given reflections on the research deficiencies. It is expected that we could improve both the learners’ listening proficiency and the strategy-instruction in EFL classrooms at home and abroad.
MPhil Scholars’ Views about the Use of Humor in English Language Classroom in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Nayyar Rabbia , Zeeshan Muhammad
Published: January 2017

The element of humor is one of the important elements in a person’s social life and when used in the English language classroom by teachers, it could affect the students’ learning. This study investigated MPhil scholars’ views being student and teacher regarding the use of humor in English language classroom. The research was qualitative using purposive sampling. The sample consisted of eight female MPhil scholars of English department of two universities in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. Interviews and observations were the instruments used for data collection. The data were analyzed through content analysis and for this purpose NVivo (Version 10) was used. The participants’ views and teaching practices suggested humor to be beneficial in the English language classrooms to motivate students. The results of this study recommend using humor in English language classroom as it may make teaching more effective. The future research directions are also suggested.
University Teachers’ and Students’ Beliefs about Grammar Translation Method and Communicative Language Teaching in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Jahanzaib Ruffia , Zeeshan Muhammad
Published: January 2017

Selection of an appropriate method for learning and teaching second language is significantly important. For this purpose, various types of methods and approaches are suggested and employed. The present study intended to investigate the beliefs of teachers and students about Grammar Translation Method (GTM) and Communicative Language Teaching (CLT). Through purposive sampling eight female teachers and students of university were selected. The study was qualitative. Interview protocol and observation were used for data collection. NVivo (Version 10) was used to perform the content analysis. The participants showed a positive inclination towards the features of CLT to be used in English language classrooms. On the basis of the results, the study suggests adopting CLT in English language classrooms to improve learners’ communicative skills. For future research, directions are also suggested.
An Empirical Investigation of Foreign Language Anxiety in Pakistani University
Authors: Gopang Illahi Bux , Ansari Sanaullah , Kulsoom Ume , Laghari Abdullah
Published: January 2017

This study aimed to investigate foreign language anxiety at tertiary level in Pakistan. It adopted a mixed methods approach. Firstly, foreign language anxiety scale was employed as a research tool for data collection. In addition, the focus group interviews were also conducted to have in depth understanding of anxiety under investigation. Data were randomly collected from 100 participants (Male= 94; Female= 6) from different disciplines who were enrolled to learn English at Lasbela University, Baluchistan. The findings of this study indicate anxiety of participants in learning English language. Specifically, participants were reported more anxious in test anxiety which was rated high by students with total (Mean= 40.5; SD= 7.00), second, communication apprehension is rated with (Mean= 28.8; SD= 5.22) and last but not least is fear of negative evaluation with (Mean= 23.7; SD= 5.93). In focus group interviews, this study frequently recorded some factors such as poor academic background, fear of taking tests in English, fear of making mistakes and fear of evaluation from teachers which maximize the level of anxiety among the participants. This study suggests some pedagogical strategies which may be considered learning and teaching practices at university level education. Among the strategies, most frequently discussed in interviews were teachers should create rapport among students especially with those who are inactive and passive in learning classroom and they should respect students’ feelings and emotions in front of other peers in class These strategies tend to help teachers to minimize anxiety level of participants in classroom.
Impoliteness in the Realization of Complaint Speech Acts: A Comparative Study of Iranian EFL Learners and Native English Speakers
Authors: Nikoobin Atefeh , Shahrokhi Mohsen
Published: January 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the impolite complaint strategies that are used by Iranian EFL learners and native speakers in relation to social distance. This study also aimed at determining if there were significant differences among the strategies used by each group and if there was a significant difference between Iranian native speakers of English. To this end, 40 Iranian EFL learners and 20 Americans who were native speakers of English participated in this study. To make sure about the homogeneity of Iranian participants the Oxford Placement Test (OPT) was conducted. A questionnaire containing 12 different situations was designed by the researchers and was given to the participants to express their complaints for each situation. The results revealed that there were significant differences among the strategies used by each group; the most common strategy that was used by both groups of participants was positive impoliteness and the least common one was bald-on-record. Although the most and least common strategies used by both groups were the same, Iranians had a stronger tendency for using sarcasm in low social distance situations while natives had a stronger tendency for using bald-on-record in high social distance contexts. This study has implications for EFL curriculum designing in Iran and can make Iranian EFL instructors familiar with the importance of impoliteness as an indispensable part of language.
Conceptual Metaphors and Rhetoric in Barack Obama’s and Xi Jinping’s Diplomatic Discourse in Africa and Europe
Authors: Wageche Irungu , Chi Changhai
Published: January 2017

This paper examines the use of conceptual metaphors in Barack Obama’s and Xi Jinping’s diplomatic discourse in both Africa and Europe. Drawing on four speeches, this paper begins by examining the pervasiveness of metaphor utility in the speeches by using Pragglejazz Metaphor Identification Procedure. This paper examines the underlying concepts in the identified metaphors by using Lakoff and Johnson conceptual metaphor framework. Finally, this paper examines the significance of conceptual metaphors as a rhetorical strategy in diplomatic discourse. This paper found out that both Barack Obama and Xi Jinping employed an exceptionally high number of metaphors in their discourse in Africa and Europe. We found out that metaphors used by each leader do form an underlying concept. Barack Obama’s diplomatic discourse embodies journey metaphors while Xi Jinping’s diplomatic discourse embodies nature metaphors. The paper illustrates how both leaders draw on neutral lexical units such as distance, crossroads, pace, path, water, lions, mountains, wells, et cetera and charge them with metaphors as a rhetorical strategy in order to draw African and European audiences closer to their primary message.
Exploring the Causes of English Language Speaking Anxiety among Postgraduate Students of University of Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Nazeer , Pathan Zahid Hussain , Khan Faria Saeed
Published: January 2017

English language enjoys its glory as an official language of Pakistan and it is used widely as a medium of instructions across educational institutes. Since anxiety retards the learning process, therefore it has been widely researched in the world and seems under researched in Pakistani context. Thus, the prime aim of this research is to explore the factors that cause English language speaking anxiety among Postgraduate Students of University of Balochistan (UoB), Pakistan. This study also aimed at determining the statistical significant difference if any across gender. The quantitative research design was employed in which a questionnaire comprising of eighteen items was adapted from the study by Horwitz et al. (1986). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed in the SPSS (version, 21). The findings revealed that UOB students were experiencing anxiety due to myriad factors in EFL classroom. The findings of the t-test revealed no statistical significant difference across gender. This paper has implications on both teaching and learning of English as a foreign language in Pakistani context.
Interaction of Nitric Oxide with Phytohormones under Drought Stress
Authors: Adimulam Srivani S. , Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur , Parankusam Santisree
Published: January 2017

Plants are often exposed to a plethora of stress conditions such as salinity, extreme temperatures, drought, and heavy metals that can greatly impact farmer’s income. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in resistance to various plant stresses and hence gaining increasing attention from plant researchers. NO mediate various abiotic and biotic stresses in plants including drought stress. However, it is still unclear about the actual involvement of NO in drought stress responses at a whole plant level. Whether NO act alone or in coherence with other phytohormones and signaling molecules is an open question till now. Here we summarized the interaction of NO with the well-known phytohormones in coping with the drought stress.
The Effect of Event Sponsorship on Customer’s Brand Awarness and Purchase Intention—A Case Study of Toyota Vietnam
Authors: Khuong Mai Ngoc , Kim Chau Ngo Thi
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this research was to investigate how event sponsorship directly affected customer’s purchase intention and indirectly through the mediation of brand awareness. The quantitative approach was applied with structured questionnaires directly delivered to sports fans of V-league football champion in Binh Duong province, Vietnam. The empirical results showed that attitude and attention towards the sponsorship indirectly affected purchase intention. The fit of the sponsored events and event involvement both directly and indirectly affected customer’s purchase intention. In addition, brand recognition played a meaningful mediation role in the relationship between event sponsorship and customer’s purchase intention.
Modified Activated Carbon Prepared from Acorn Shells as a New Solid-Phase Extraction Sorbent for the Preconcentration and Determination of Trace Amounts of Nickel in Food Samples Prior to Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Authors: Ebrahimi Bahram
Published: January 2017

A new solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbent was introduced based on acidic-modified (AM) activated carbon (AC) prepared from acorn shells of native oak trees in Kurdistan. Hydrochloric acid (15%, w/w) and nitric acid (32.5%, w/w) were used to condition and modify AC. The IR spectra of AC and AM-AC showed that AM lead to the formation of increasing numbers of acidic functional groups on AM-AC. AM-AC was used in the SPE method for the extraction and preconcentration of Ni+2 prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometric determinationat ng/mL levels in model and real food samples. Effective parameters of the SPE procedure, such as the pH of the solutions, sorbent dosage, extraction time, sample volume, type of eluent, and matrix ions, were consideredand optimized. An enrichment factor of 140 was obtained. The calibration curve was linear with an R2 of 0.997 in the concentration range of 1–220 ng/mL. The RSD was 5.67% (for n = 7), the LOD was 0.352 ng/mL, and relative recoveries in vegetable samples ranged from 96.7 to 103.7%.
EFICÁCIA DA ESTIMULAÇÃO SENSÓRIO-MOTORA EM BEBÊS DE 4 A 12 MESES DE UMA ESCOLA INFANTIL
Authors: Pereira Ana Paula Machado , Pinheiro Tamiris Furtado Drehmer , Balk Rodrigo De Souza , Santos Christian Caldeira
Published: January 2017

Introdução: Este estudo avaliou a eficácia da estimulação motora em crianças matriculadas no berçário I de uma escola localizada no município de Uruguaiana – RS. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, experimental com 14 crianças de 4 a 12 meses de idade recrutadas a partir do berçário I de uma escola da cidade de Uruguaiana. A Avaliação motora pré e pós intervenção foi realizada através da Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) no grupo controle e estimulação. Realizou-se a estimulação três vezes por semana por um mês, através do Programa de Intervenção Motora Participativa Ampliando Oportunidades (PIMPAO). Resultados: O protocolo adaptado do PIMPAO, ao comparar o desempenho motor dos grupos controle e experimental através de análise inter grupos não apresentou diferença significativa. Quanto a classificação das crianças frente a AIMS, verifica-se uma maior frequência na evolução nas crianças do grupo experimental, visto que inicialmente quatro crianças apresentavam classificação de não normalidade e ao final, somente uma apresentava tal classificação. Conclusão: A partir dos dados obtidos nesta pesquisa pode-se concluir que embora percebermos ganhos qualitativos em relação à classificação motora final das crianças estimuladas em relação a AIMS, não foi possível visualizar a eficácia da mesma estimulação motora para promover ganhos quantitativos significativos da performance motora nessas mesmas crianças do berçário I.Descritores: Desenvolvimento Infantil; Saúde da Criança; Intervenção Precoce;Berçário.
PREVALÊNCIA DE INFECÇÃO DO TRATO URINÁRIO EM GESTANTES EM UMA CIDADE NO SUL DO BRASIL
Authors: Ramos Géssica Capellin , Laurentino Ana Paula , Fochesatto Sabrina , Francisquetti Fabiana Angelina , Rodrigues Adriana Dalpicolli
Published: January 2017

A pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de infecção do trato urinário durante a gestação e destacar as principais bactérias contaminantes por trimestre. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, analítico e retrospectivo com avaliação de resultados de uroculturas por trimestre gestacional em banco de dados de um laboratório em Caxias do Sul, RS, Brasil em 2014. Foram avaliados resultados de urocultura de 432 gestantes por trimestre, totalizando, 1296 analises. Observou-se 12,89% de crescimento bacteriano, sendo a Escherichia coli o agente predominante (98,20%). Durante a gestação, 25,46% das pacientes tiveram pelo menos um caso, sendo o primeiro trimestre o de menor frequência (8,33%). Infecções do trato urinário no período gestacional são comuns, principalmente por Escherichia coli. As possíveis complicações reforçam a necessidade de campanhas de prevenção, além da realização de urocultura ao longo do período gestacional para garantia de saúde da gestante e proteção do feto. Descritores: Infecção do Trato Urinário; Gestante; Prevalência; Bacteriúria, Trimestre Gestacional.
PARADA CARDIORRESPIRATÓRIA E O SUPORTE BÁSICO DE VIDA NO AMBIENTE PRÉ-HOSPITALAR: O SABER ACADÊMICO
Authors: Silva Karla Rona da , Araújo Sibele Aparecida Santos Tomás , Almeida Wander Soares de , Pereira Ingrid Victoria Dias Swamy , Carvalho Edna Andréa Pereira de , Abreu Mery Natali Silva
Published: January 2017

Objetivo: Identificar o conhecimento de acadêmicos sobre Parada Cardiorrespiratória e Suporte Básico de Vida precoce. Metodologia: Estudo transversal descritivo e exploratório, realizado no segundo semestre de 2014, com 81 alunos do Núcleo de Biociências de um Centro Universitário em Belo Horizonte. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado um questionário estruturado validado, contendo 09 perguntas de múltipla escolha. Todas as análises estatísticas foram realizadas pelo programa SPSS 19.0. Resultados: Verificou-se que 100% dos entrevistados sabem verificar a presença de movimentos respiratórios, porém a realização da manobra para facilitar a respiração foi assertiva em 79% destes, 87% compreendem a finalidade da massagem cardíaca, 29,6% sabem o número de compressões por minuto a ser realizada em vítima adulta. Conclusão: A população estudada tende a possuir conhecimento insuficiente sobre Suporte Básico de Vida precoce, o que pode comprometer o atendimento prestado.Descritores: Ressuscitação Cardiopulmonar; Parada Cardíaca; Educação em Saúde.
 ANTICORPOS DE REAÇÃO CRUZADA DURANTE INFECÇÃO AGUDA POR T. GONDII
Authors: Fontoura Alison Menna , Beck Sandra Trevisan
Published: January 2017

Agentes como Toxoplasma Gondii,Citomegalovírus (CMV) e vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) podem causar a Síndrome da Mononucleose Infecciosa, por apresentar expressão clínica e laboratorial muito semelhante à mononucleose infecciosa clássica, provocada pelo vírus Epstein-Barr(EB). O grau desta semelhança é muito variável, podendo predominar o aspecto clínico ou o laboratorial, e ser mais ou menos intensa. O diagnóstico laboratorial é dificultado pela possibilidade de reação cruzada de anticorpos IgM entres estes patógenos. No presente estudo, foram analisadas as características clínicas e laboratoriais de um paciente com diagnóstico de Toxoplasmose, onde ocorreram reações falso-positivas em exames sorológicos para HIV e Citomegalovírus.
EPISTEMOLOGIA DO TESTEMUNHO: O TESTEMUNHO COMO FONTE DE JUSTIFICAÇÃO
Authors: Silva Ronaldo Miguel
Published: January 2017

Artigo retirado da Revista Sociais e Humanas, por ser uma cópia (exceto pequenas alterações) do seguinte artigo já publicado na revista Problemata: SILVA, Ronaldo Miguel. Epistemologia do Testemunho: o testemunho como fonte de justificação. Problemata: R. Intern. Fil. v. 5. n. 2 (2014), p. 221-251.e-ISSN 2236-8612. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7443/problemata.v5i2.19900
Shear Wave Elastography Is a Reliable and Repeatable Method for Measuring the Elastic Modulus of the Rectus Femoris Muscle and Patellar Tendon
Authors: Taş Serkan , Onur Mehmet Ruhi , Yılmaz Seval , Soylu Abdullah Ruhi , Korkusuz Feza
Published: January 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine intraobserver, interobserver, and inter‐day reliability levels for stiffness measurements of the patellar tendon and rectus femoris muscle using shear wave elastography (SWE).

Methods

This study was conducted on 12 healthy male individuals. Two examiners measured mean shear wave velocity values of the patellar tendons and rectus femoris muscles of both extremities using a 9L4 (4‐9 MHz) transducer and an Acuson S3000 ultrasound system (Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA). The elasticity images were acquired by the Virtual Touch tissue imaging quantification technique (Siemens Medical Solutions). Measurements were repeated 20 minutes and 1 week after the first measurements. The reliability of SWE measurements was assessed by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

The 12 participants ranged in age from 19 to 33 years (mean age ± SD, 25.33 ± 4.56 years). For the patellar tendon stiffness measurements with SWE, it was found that intraobserver reliability (ICC, 0.91–0.92) and interday reliability (ICC, 0.81–0.83) were excellent, and interobserver reliability (ICC, 0.71) was good. For the rectus femoris muscle stiffness measurements with SWE, it was found that the intraobserver reliability (ICC, 0.93–0.94), interday reliability (ICC, 0.81–0.91), and interobserver reliability (ICC, 0.95) were perfect.

Conclusions

Shear wave elastography using the Virtual Touch tissue imaging quantification technique is a reliable and repeatable technique for patellar tendon and rectus femoris stiffness measurements according to intraobserver, interday, and interobserver ICC values.
A Proximal Straining Mesh Location Is Associated With De Novo Stress Urinary Incontinence After Transobturator Mesh Procedures
Authors: Huang Wen‐Chen , Yang Jenn‐Ming
Published: January 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between mesh location and de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after transvaginal mesh procedures.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a database of women who had received transvaginal mesh procedures for stage III or greater cystocele according to the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system. Only data for women who neither reported SUI preoperatively nor had received concomitant anti‐incontinence surgery were included for analyses. The mesh location was investigated by sonography via the percentage of the urethra covered by mesh, defined as the number calculated by dividing the portion of the urethral length covered by mesh (the distance from the bladder neck to the point of the urethra, which was indicated by an imaginary line at the level of the lower [caudal] mesh end and perpendicular to the urethra) by the total urethral length (the distance from the bladder neck to the external urethral meatus) in the sagittal plane. The resting, straining, coughing, and squeezing mesh locations of women who did (n = 29) and did not (n = 54) report SUI at the 12‐month follow‐up were compared.

Results

At the 12‐month follow‐up, women who reported SUI had a significantly smaller straining percentage of the urethra covered by mesh (mean ± SD, 28.5% ± 9.6%) compared with continent women (35.2% ± 15.8%), indicating a more proximal straining mesh location.

Conclusions

Sonography is useful in investigating the location of the transvaginal mesh. De novo SUI after transvaginal mesh procedures is associated with a more proximal straining mesh location.
Two decades of Pacific anthropogenic carbon storage and ocean acidification along Global Ocean Ship‐based Hydrographic Investigations Program sections P16 and P02
Authors: Carter B. R. , Feely R. A. , Mecking S. , Cross J. N. , Macdonald A. M. , Siedlecki S. A. , Talley L. D. , Sabine C. L. , Millero F. J. , Swift J. H. , Dickson A. G. , Rodgers K. B.
Published: January 2017

A modified version of the extended multiple linear regression (eMLR) method is used to estimate anthropogenic carbon concentration (Canth) changes along the Pacific P02 and P16 hydrographic sections over the past two decades. P02 is a zonal section crossing the North Pacific at 30°N, and P16 is a meridional section crossing the North and South Pacific at ~150°W. The eMLR modifications allow the uncertainties associated with choices of regression parameters to be both resolved and reduced. Canth is found to have increased throughout the water column from the surface to ~1000 m depth along both lines in both decades. Mean column Canth inventory increased consistently during the earlier (1990s–2000s) and recent (2000s–2010s) decades along P02, at rates of 0.53 ± 0.11 and 0.46 ± 0.11 mol C m−2 a−1, respectively. By contrast, Canth storage accelerated from 0.29 ± 0.10 to 0.45 ± 0.11 mol C m−2 a−1 along P16. Shifts in water mass distributions are ruled out as a potential cause of this increase, which is instead attributed to recent increases in the ventilation of the South Pacific Subtropical Cell. Decadal changes along P16 are extrapolated across the gyre to estimate a Pacific Basin average storage between 60°S and 60°N of 6.1 ± 1.5 PgC decade−1 in the earlier decade and 8.8 ± 2.2 PgC decade−1 in the recent decade. This storage estimate is large despite the shallow Pacific Canth penetration due to the large volume of the Pacific Ocean. By 2014, Canth storage had changed Pacific surface seawater pH by −0.08 to −0.14 and aragonite saturation state by −0.57 to −0.82.
A reevaluation of the magnitude and impacts of anthropogenic atmospheric nitrogen inputs on the ocean
Authors: Jickells T. D. , Buitenhuis E. , Altieri K. , Baker A. R. , Capone D. , Duce R. A. , Dentener F. , Fennel K. , Kanakidou M. , LaRoche J. , Lee K. , Liss P. , Middelburg J. J. , Moore J. K. , Okin G. , Oschlies A. , Sarin M. , Seitzinger S. , Sharples J. , Singh A. , Suntharalingam P. , Uematsu M. , Zamora L. M.
Published: January 2017

We report a new synthesis of best estimates of the inputs of fixed nitrogen to the world ocean via atmospheric deposition and compare this to fluvial inputs and dinitrogen fixation. We evaluate the scale of human perturbation of these fluxes. Fluvial inputs dominate inputs to the continental shelf, and we estimate that about 75% of this fluvial nitrogen escapes from the shelf to the open ocean. Biological dinitrogen fixation is the main external source of nitrogen to the open ocean, i.e., beyond the continental shelf. Atmospheric deposition is the primary mechanism by which land‐based nitrogen inputs, and hence human perturbations of the nitrogen cycle, reach the open ocean. We estimate that anthropogenic inputs are currently leading to an increase in overall ocean carbon sequestration of ~0.4% (equivalent to an uptake of 0.15 Pg C yr−1 and less than the Duce et al. (2008) estimate). The resulting reduction in climate change forcing from this ocean CO2 uptake is offset to a small extent by an increase in ocean N2O emissions. We identify four important feedbacks in the ocean atmosphere nitrogen system that need to be better quantified to improve our understanding of the perturbation of ocean biogeochemistry by atmospheric nitrogen inputs. These feedbacks are recycling of (1) ammonia and (2) organic nitrogen from the ocean to the atmosphere and back, (3) the suppression of nitrogen fixation by increased nitrogen concentrations in surface waters from atmospheric deposition, and (4) increased loss of nitrogen from the ocean by denitrification due to increased productivity stimulated by atmospheric inputs.
Accelerated flows at Jupiter's magnetopause: Evidence for magnetic reconnection along the dawn flank
Authors: Ebert R. W. , Allegrini F. , Bagenal F. , Bolton S. J. , Connerney J. E. P. , Clark G. , DiBraccio G. A. , Gershman D. J. , Kurth W. S. , Levin S. , Louarn P. , Mauk B. H. , McComas D. J. , Reno M. , Szalay J. R. , Thomsen M. F. , Valek P. , Weidner S. , Wilson R. J.
Published: January 2017

We report on plasma and magnetic field observations from Juno's Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment and Magnetic Field Investigation at 18 magnetopause crossings when the spacecraft was located at ~6 h magnetic local time and 73–114 Jovian radii from Jupiter. Several crossings showed evidence of plasma energization, accelerated ion flows, and large magnetic shear angles, each representing a signature of magnetic reconnection. These signatures were observed for times when the magnetosphere was in both compressed and expanded states. We compared the flow change magnitudes to a simplified Walén relation and found ~60% of the events to be 110% or less of the predicted values. Close examination of two magnetopause encounters revealed characteristics of a rotational discontinuity and an open magnetopause. These observations provide compelling evidence that magnetic reconnection can occur at Jupiter's dawn magnetopause and should be incorporated into theories of solar wind coupling and outer magnetosphere dynamics at Jupiter.
Seasonal variations of meteoric potassium layer over Beijing (40.41°N, 116.01°E)
Authors: Wang Zelong , Yang Guotao , Wang Jihong , Yue Chuan , Yang Yong , Jiao Jing , Du Lifang , Cheng Xuewu , Chi Wang
Published: January 2017

A dual‐wavelength resonance fluorescence lidar facility, operating at 770 nm and 589 nm, was set up in the midlatitude of East Asia, Beijing (40.41°N, 116.01°E), to detect the upper atmospheric potassium and sodium layers simultaneously. This fluorescence lidar system has been operational for 220 nights, clocking 1250 h in total from November 2010 to October 2011 and May 2013 to April 2014. The observations reveal that the potassium layer shows considerable semiannual seasonal variations. Specifically, the column and peak densities vary semiannually with maxima in winter and summer. The centroid height displays semiannual variation, reaching maxima in spring and autumn. The RMS width has a slight semiannual seasonality with maxima in July and December. The seasonal behavior of the potassium layer in Beijing is similar to that in other potassium lidar sties. However, the unexpected difference is that the column and peak densities of the potassium layer are extremely large in winter, compared to the maximum values in summer.
Far ultraviolet instrument technology
Authors: Paxton Larry J. , Schaefer Robert K. , Zhang Yongliang , Kil Hyosub
Published: January 2017

The far ultraviolet (FUV) spectral range (from about 115 nm to 180 nm) is one of the most useful spectral regions for characterizing the upper atmosphere (thermosphere and ionosphere). The principal advantages are that there are FUV signatures of the major constituents of the upper atmosphere as well as the signatures of the high‐latitude energy inputs. Because of the absorption by thermospheric O2, the FUV signatures are seen against a “black” background, i.e., one that is not affected by ground albedo or clouds and, as a consequence, can make useful observations of the aurora during the day or when the Moon is above the horizon. In this paper we discuss the uses of FUV remote sensing, summarize the various techniques, and discuss the technological challenges. Our focus is on a particular type of FUV instrument, the scanning imaging spectrograph or SIS: an instrument exemplified by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Special Sensor Ultraviolet Imager and Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics Global Ultraviolet Imager. The SIS combines spatial imaging of the disk with limb profiles as well as spectral information at each point in the scan.
Three‐dimensional simulation of high‐frequency nonlinear internal wave dynamics in Cayuga Lake
Authors: Dorostkar Abbas , Boegman Leon , Pollard Andrew
Published: January 2017

Three‐dimensional (3‐D) hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic versions of the MITgcm were applied to simulate the dynamics of the internal wave field (basin‐scale seiches, nonlinear surges, and high‐frequency nonlinear internal waves, NLIWs) in Cayuga Lake, NY. The simulations were performed using up to 226 million computational cells with several horizontal grid resolutions, varying from 450 × 450 m to 22 × 22 m. Vertical grid spacing was not varied and ranged from 0.5 to 2.95 m. The 22 × 22 m nonhydrostatic grid reproduced qualitatively the formation, propagation, and shoaling of observed NLIWs using >10 grid points along the wavelength and a grid lepticity λ of O(1). This ensured, respectively, that the waves were not aliased and physical dispersion predominated over numerical dispersion. Using a sensitivity analysis, we generalize that correctly simulating NLIWs in real domains, using second‐order discretization, requires grid resolutions that are an order of magnitude smaller than the wavelength and amplitude with λ ∼ 2; consistent with published work on idealized domains. Local gyre‐like circulation was simulated, near midbasin headlands, and transverse shoaling of NLIW packets on lateral boundaries was associated with topographic reflection and refraction, in agreement with published field observations from estuaries, which show NLIW propagation in long narrow quasi‐2‐D systems (e.g., Finger Lakes, lochs, fjords, estuaries, and straits) is fundamentally 3‐D. These results, therefore, help fill the gap in understanding and correctly modeling the multiscale 3‐D dynamics of NLIWs in complex natural systems.
Deep sediment resuspension and thick nepheloid layer generation by open‐ocean convection
Authors: Durrieu de Madron X. , Ramondenc S. , Berline L. , Houpert L. , Bosse A. , Martini S. , Guidi L. , Conan P. , Curtil C. , Delsaut N. , Kunesch S. , Ghiglione J. F. , Marsaleix P. , Pujo‐Pay M. , Séverin T. , Testor P. , Tamburini C. ,   the ANTARES collaboration
Published: January 2017

The Gulf of Lions in the northwestern Mediterranean is one of the few sites around the world ocean exhibiting deep open‐ocean convection. Based on 6 year long (2009–2015) time series from a mooring in the convection region, shipborne measurements from repeated cruises, from 2012 to 2015, and glider measurements, we report evidence of bottom thick nepheloid layer formation, which is coincident with deep sediment resuspension induced by bottom‐reaching convection events. This bottom nepheloid layer, which presents a maximum thickness of more than 2000 m in the center of the convection region, probably results from the action of cyclonic eddies that are formed during the convection period and can persist within their core while they travel through the basin. The residence time of this bottom nepheloid layer appears to be less than a year. In situ measurements of suspended particle size further indicate that the bottom nepheloid layer is primarily composed of aggregates between 100 and 1000 µm in diameter, probably constituted of fine silts. Bottom‐reaching open ocean convection, as well as deep dense shelf water cascading that occurred concurrently some years, lead to recurring deep sediments resuspension episodes. They are key mechanisms that control the concentration and characteristics of the suspended particulate matter in the basin, and in turn affect the bathypelagic biological activity.
Examination of an improved quasi‐stochastic model for the collisional growth of drops
Authors: Lkhamjav Jambajamts , Lee Hyunho , Jeon Ye‐Lim , Baik Jong‐Jin
Published: January 2017

The evolution of cloud drop size distribution due to the collision‐coalescence process is generally described by a quasi‐stochastic model that solves the stochastic collection equation in a deterministic way. In this study, an improved quasi‐stochastic (IQS) model, which is derived by rigorously considering a finite model time step, is examined in the context of comparison with the normal quasi‐stochastic (NQS) model. The IQS model allows a large collector drop to collide with a small collected drop more than one time in a model time step even if the collision probability is small. The number distribution of collector drops then follows the Poisson distribution with respect to the number of collisions. Using a box model that takes turbulence‐induced collision enhancement into account, it is found that large drops in the IQS model tend to have larger sizes than those in the NQS model and that the IQS model accelerates large‐drop formation by a few minutes compared to the NQS model. The effects of the IQS model depend on the model time step and the shape of initial drop size distribution. The IQS model is incorporated into a detailed bin microphysics scheme that is coupled with the Weather Research and Forecasting model, and a single warm cloud is simulated under idealized environmental conditions. It is found that the onset of surface precipitation is accelerated in the IQS model.
First in situ observations of binary raindrop collisions
Authors: Testik F. Y. , Rahman M. K.
Published: January 2017

In this article, we present the first‐time observations of binary raindrop collisions in rainfall events. These observations constitute a critical step in concluding a long‐standing debate on the controlling physical process, binary raindrop collision versus spontaneous raindrop breakup, for the raindrop size distribution (DSD) evolution from cloud to ground level. Our raindrop collision observations were made possible by a new instrument called the High‐speed Optical Disdrometer (HOD) that we recently developed for precipitation microphysics investigations. Our approximately 1 year long field campaign that covered 33 rainfall events provided 11 observations of binary raindrop collisions and outcomes but no spontaneous breakup observation. The field‐observed collision rate (i.e., number of raindrop collisions within the measurement volume of the HOD per unit time) showed an increasing trend with increasing rain rate as expected from the theoretical collision rate predictions. Furthermore, the field‐observed collision rates were (i) comparable (for rain rates less than approximately 50 mm/h) and (ii) significantly larger (for larger rain rates) than the theoretically predicted rates that have been used in various numerical investigations that suggest the controlling role of raindrop collisions in DSD evolution. Our observations, yet to be supplemented with observations from comprehensive field campaigns at different geographic locations and rainfall events for a definitive conclusion, support the collision‐driven DSD evolution hypothesis.
Introduction: Particles and fields
Authors: Moore Thomas , Spann James
Published: January 2017

A Conference on Measurement Techniques for Solar and Space Physics was held on 20–24 April 2015 in Boulder, Colorado, at the National Center for Atmospheric Research Center Green Campus. The present volume collects together the papers from this conference in the categories of particles and fields. This also includes neutral gas techniques as well as low‐energy ionospheric plasmas and their interactions with spacecrafts.
Particle migration and alignment in slot coating flows of elongated particle suspensions
Authors: Siqueira Ivan R. , Rebouças Rodrigo B. , Carvalho Marcio S.
Published: January 2017

We analyze slot coating flows of elongated particle suspensions and investigate particle concentration and average orientation at the coated film. Shear‐induced particle migration is described by the Diffusive Flux Model, and particle orientation is given by the principal direction of the particle conformation tensor. The conformation evolution and the constitutive equation for the resulting complex liquid are adapted from classical models that describe the behavior of suspensions of cylinders and fibers and polymeric solutions of almost rigid rod‐like molecules. The proposed fully coupled model is applied to slot coating flows, and is solved using the DEVSS‐TG/SUPG finite element method. The results show that the wet coated film is highly nonuniform. Particle concentration and orientation vary along the film thickness and are a strong function of the operating parameters of the process, such as the film thickness‐to‐coating gap ratio and the capillary number of the flow. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3187–3198, 2017
A mandible from the Middle Pleistocene Hexian site and its significance in relation to the variability of Asian Homo erectus
Authors: Liu Wu , Martinón‐Torres María , Kaifu Yousuke , Wu Xiujie , Kono Reiko T. , Chang Chun‐Hsiang , Wei Pianpian , Xing Song , Huang Wanbo , Bermúdez de Castro José María
Published: January 2017

Objectives

This study presents the first detailed morphological description and comparison of a Middle Pleistocene hominin mandibular fragment (PA 831) and associated teeth from the Hexian site in Eastern China. We aim to investigate where the Hexian mandible fits within the genus Homo variability in the light of an increased and better characterized Asian fossils record.

Methods

Comparative samples include Pleistocene Homo mandibles and teeth from Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as earlier African hominins (Australopithecus and early Homo) and Holocene recent humans. Both conventional morphological description and metric analysis were used. In addition, virtual reconstructions of the enamel dentine junction (EDJ) surface, pulp cavity, and roots with micro‐CT were used to the mandible and teeth.

Results

The Hexian mandible is characterized by a plesiomorphic structural pattern for the Homo clade, with strong corpus robustness and a subparallel and low‐positioned mylohyoid line that differentiates the swollen subalveolar planum from the shallow subalveolar fossa. Features that are derived compared to early Homo include a moderately curved dental arcade, a well‐developed lateral prominence placed at the M2‐M3 level, and multiple mental foramina. The Hexian mandible's complex enamel surface and strong, stout root structure are primitive traits for the Homo clade. Finally, the highly crenulated “dendrite‐like” EDJ found in the molars may represent a dental feature specific to the continental Asian Homo erectus, but more data is needed to confirm this.

Conclusions

Mandibular and dental features indicate that the Hexian mandible and teeth differ from northern Chinese H. erectus and European Middle Pleistocene hominins, but show some affinities with the Early Pleistocene specimens from Africa (Homo ergaster) and Java (H. erectus), as well as the Middle‐Late Pleistocene mandible from Penghu, Taiwan. Compared to contemporaneous continental Asian hominin populations, the Hexian fossils may represent the survival of a primitive hominin, with more primitive morphologies than other contemporaneous or some chronologically older Asian hominin specimens.
Domestication and human demographic history in South America
Authors: Perez S. Ivan , Postillone María Bárbara , Rindel Diego
Published: January 2017

Objectives

The early groups of hunter‐gatherers who peopled South America faced significant ecological changes in their trophic niche for a relatively short period after the initial peopling. In particular, the incorporation of cultigens during the Holocene led to a wider trophic niche and probably to an increased carrying capacity of the environment. Here, we study the relationship between the incorporation of domestic resources during the Holocene and the demographic dynamics of human populations at a regional scale in South America.

Material and methods

We employ mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), radiocarbon data and Bayesian methods to estimate differences in population size, human occupation and explore the demographic changes of human populations in three regions (i.e., South‐Central Andes, Northwest, and South Patagonia). We also use archaeological evidence to infer the main diet changes in these regions.

Results

The absolute population size during the later Late Holocene was fifteen times larger in the South‐Central Andes than in Northwest Patagonia, and two times larger in the latter region than in South Patagonia. The South‐Central Andes display the earlier and more abrupt population growth, beginning about 9000 years BP, whereas Northwest Patagonia exhibits a more slow growth, beginning about 7000–7500 years BP. South Patagonia represents a later and slower population increase.

Discussion

In this work we uncovered a well‐supported pattern of the demographic change in the populations from South‐Central Andes and Patagonia, obtained on the basis of different data and quantitative approaches, which suggests that the incorporation of domestic resources was paramount for the demographic expansion of these populations during the Holocene.
Poly(N‐[4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl]acrylamide) with different ratio of poly(vinyl chloride) composite membrane for liquid phase sensing of alcohol
Authors: Mahato Manmatha , Ghosh Alokesh , Roy Hena , Bhattacharyya Nabarun , Adhikari Basudam
Published: January 2017

Functionalized polymer membranes have been used as sensor materials for fabrication of electronic tongue. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a novel poly(N‐[4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl]acrylamide) (PNTA) for liquid phase aliphatic alcohol sensing in the form of membranes prepared after blending with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Three PNTA‐PVC based membranes were prepared for sensing of six aliphatic alcohols. Polymer membranes were characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Polar groups on PNTA molecules contribute to the alcohol sensing characteristics. The membrane electric potential, generated by the interaction between membrane surface and aqueous aliphatic alcohols, was monitored with the developed multi‐channel electrode based prototype sensing system (MEBPSS). The polymer membranes showed distinct and repeatable response patterns toward different aliphatic alcohols. Among them PNTA‐PVC12 membrane showed maximum discrimination ability due to the PNTA molecules on the membrane surface with highest charge density as ascertained from field emission scanning electron microscopic studies. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44675.
Thermal, mechanical, and dielectric studies on the DGEBA epoxy blends by using liquid oxidized poly(1,2‐butadiene) as a reactive component
Authors: Gao Limei , Wang Jinwei
Published: January 2017

Liquid oxidized poly(1,2‐butadiene) (LOPB) with multi epoxy groups is synthesized to modify diglycidyl end‐caped poly(bisphenol A‐co‐epichlorohydrin) (DGEBA) cured by 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS). FTIR spectra shows that DGEBA and LOPB can be effectively cured by DDS, and the epoxide rubber particles are evenly distributed in the composites till their addition up to 20 wt % of DGEBA as seen from the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Their decomposition temperatures (Td) increase with the increase in LOPB addition at around 10 wt % of DGEBA while the Td for the composite containing 20 wt % LOPB of DGEBA is lower than that of the neat epoxy. The addition of LOPB improves their storage moduli and especially these values at temperatures higher above 150 °C; all the composites exhibit higher glass transition temperature (Tg) than that of the neat epoxy, and the maximum Tg reaches up to 255 °C for the composite containing 15 wt % LOPB of DGEBA. The incorporation of LOPB effectively decreases their dielectric constants and the composite with 10 wt % LOPB of DGEBA possesses the lowest one. The synergic improvements in their various properties are attributed to the networks formation via covalent linkage between the two phases in these reactive blends. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44689.