bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Holocene paleoclimatic and paleohydrological changes in Lake Balaton as inferred from a complex quantitative environmental historical study of a lacustrine sequence of the Szigliget embayment
Authors: Sümegi Pál , Gulyás Sándor , Jakab Gusztáv
Published: June 2014

The present paper discusses the findings of a complex quantitative paleoecological investigation implemented for capturing the Upper Weichselian, Late Glacial and Postglacial development of Lake Balaton in western Hungary, in the heart of Transdanubia. The studied Late Pleistocene and Holocene lacustrine marl and peat sequence preserved the complete evolutionary history of the catchment basin of the Szigliget Embayment from the time of its birth. The inferred palaeohydrological changes, along with that of the hydroseries, were compared to those observable coevally in the terrestrial vegetation. According to the available data, the birth of the studied embayment can be put to the Late Glacial/Upper Weichselian transition. A wide array of hydrophyte vegetation and habitat types emerged in the embayment depending on the actual water supply and geomorphologic position. Based on a collective quantitative evaluation of the observed sedimentary features and fossil assemblages retrieved from the sequence, a record of paleohydrological transformations in the littoral part of the lake was drawn.
Warfare in Late Neolithic\Early Chalcolithic Pisidia, southwestern Turkey. Climate induced social unrest in the late 7th millennium calBC
Authors: Clare Lee , Rohling Eelco J. , Weninger Bernhard , Hilpert Johanna
Published: June 2014

This paper proposes an association between climate forcing connected with the 8200 calBP ‘climate event’ and a postulated phase of internecine warfare and population collapse at Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic sites in Pisidia, southwestern Turkey. A summary of this evidence is provided and a hypothetical scenario considered in the context of contemporaneous developments in neighbouring regions.
Preparedness in America’s prime danger zone and at the Boston Marathon bombing site
Authors: Cole, PhD, DDS Leonard A. , Scott, MD Sandra R. , Feravolo, BS Michael , Lamba, MD Sangeeta
Published: June 2014

Introduction: The area between Newark and Elizabeth, NJ, contains major transportation hubs, chemical plants, and a dense population.This makes it “the most dangerous two miles in America,” according to counterterrorism officials at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This study compares medical response capabilities for terror and disaster in Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, with those in Boston in view of that city’s favorable response to the Marathon bombings in April 2013. Boston’s numerous world-class medical facilities offer advantages unavailable in Newark and most other metropolitan locations. Thus, preparedness in Newark, despite its prime-danger designation, can also be instructive for many communities with similar medical resources.Methods: Three categories of response capabilities are assessed: hospital resources, relevant personnel, and symposia/exercises. Data were derived from hospital Web sites, the New Jersey and Massachusetts Hospital Associations, communications with emergency response personnel, and interviews with spokespersons for hospitals.Results: Boston’s population (618,000) is more than twice Newark’s (278,000), and the number of hospitals and hospital beds in each city reflects that proportion. However, Boston’s seven general adult hospitals include five level 1 trauma centers (which can provide comprehensive trauma care), whereas Newark’s four hospitals include only one such center.Beds per 1,000 people are similarly disparate in those trauma centers: five in Boston, 1.5 in Newark. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel based in Boston and Newark are comparable in numbers, though full-time hospital physicians/dentists and nurses are not.The number of doctors at Boston’s five level 1 centers is more than triple that at all four of Newark’s hospitals (5,284 vs 1,494).The disparity between nurses at the two sites is even greater (6,784 vs 1,566).There is greater equivalency between the two cities both in content and frequency of symposia/exercises. Hospitals in each city have conducted numerous tabletop and action exercises including on communications efficiency, power outages, and dealing with a bombing or active shooter. Hospitals in each city also have participated in citywide drills with EMS, police, fire, and other responders.Conclusion: Commonalities in Newark and Boston’s exercise approaches suggest that Boston’s successful response at the Marathon might be replicated at least in part if the Newark area were similarly challenged. Whether Newark and similarly enabled communities would respond with comparable efficiency remains conjectural. Still, maintaining rigorous preparedness efforts seems a self-evident imperative, especially in an area deemed among the country’s most inviting terrorist targets.
Field amputation: Response planning and legal considerations inspired by three separate amputations
Authors: Raines , MD Alexander , Lees , MD Jason , Fry , MD William , Parks , JD Aaron , Tuggle , MD David
Published: June 2014

Background: Surgical procedures in the field are occasionally required as life-saving measures. Few centers have a planned infrastructure for field physician support. Focused efforts are needed to create teams that can meet such needs. Additionally, certain legal issues surrounding these efforts should be considered. Three cases of field dismemberment inspired this call for preparation.Methods: In one case, an earthquake caused the collapse of a bridge, entrapping a child within a car. A through-knee amputation was required to free the patient with local anesthetic only. The second case was the result of a truck bomb causing the collapse of a building whereby a victim was trapped by a pillar. After retrieval of supplies from a local hospital, a through-knee amputation was performed. The third case involved a young man whose arm became entangled in an oil derrick. This patient was sedated and intubated in an erect position and the arm was amputated.Results: Fortunately, each of these victims survived. However, the care these patients received was unplanned and had the potential for failure. The authors feel that disaster teams, including a surgeon, should be identified in advance as responders to a disaster on short notice. Legal issues including statespecific Good Samaritan laws and financial support systems must also be considered.Conclusion: As hospitals and trauma systems prepare for disaster situations, they should consider the eventuality of field dismemberment. This involves identifying a team, including a surgeon, and devising an infrastructure allowing rapid response capabilities, including surgical procedures in the field.
Obstetrical care and women’s health in the aftermath of disasters: The first 14 days after the 2010 Haitian earthquake
Authors: Goodman, MD, FACS, FACOG Annekathryn , Black, MD, MPH Lynn , Briggs, MD, MPH, FACS Susan
Published: June 2014

Objective: Natural disasters disproportionately injure women and children. Disaster teams need intensive training in the management of obstetrics and women’s healthcare at the disaster site.Design: This article summarizes the obstetrical experience for the International Medical Surgical Response Team (IMSuRT) stationed at Gheskio in Port Au Prince during the first 2 weeks after the 2010 Haitian earthquake. The world’s literature on the impact of disasters on women is reviewed.Setting: Sixty-three members of the IMSuRT and Disaster Medical Assistance Team set up a mobile surgical field hospital after the 2010 Haitian earthquake. One member (AG) managed all the obstetrical care and taught the other team members essentials of labor management and assessment in pregnancy.Patients, participants: Six hundred patients were treated in the first 14 days. Ten percent of these patients were pregnant.There were 12 deliveries.Interventions: All pregnant patients were evaluated by a Sonosite ultrasound device. Pregnant patients with earthquake-related injuries were treated for their injuries.Women in labor were managed by active management in labor. No cesarean sections were needed.Main outcome measure(s): Well-being of mother and babies.Results: Sixty pregnant women presented to the mobile hospital for evaluation from January 17, 2010, through January 28, 2012. Twelve women in labor delivered healthy infants by vaginal delivery. Gestational ages ranges from 34 to 40 weeks. Active management of labor included the use of intravenous Pitocin, which was titrated to contractions. Duration of labor ranged from 2 to 12 hours. Three team members participated in each delivery. Two women were discharged on the same day as their deliveries. Eight women were discharged on the first postpartum day and two on the second postpartum day.Conclusions: Pregnant women suffered severe injuries. Additionally, pregnant women with pre-existing medical conditions were treated after the earthquake. Active management of labor allowed all women to deliver vaginally. The labor management required tremendous team resources to facilitate vaginal deliveries and avoid cesarean sections. Cesarean sections in an austere environment have the potential for devastating consequences such as sepsis, wound dehiscence, and the long-term risks of uterine rupture with subsequent pregnancies. Our experience highlights the need to include trained obstetrical providers on the first response team.Oral presentation: Data from this article were included in the presentation, “An urgent need for women’s health specialists in disaster response,” at the Disaster Response Workshop, Annual Meeting Society Maternal Fetal Medicine, Dallas, 2012.
The Hartford Consensus to improve survivability in mass casualty events: Process to policy
Authors: Jacobs , MD, MPH, FACS Lenworth , Burns, RN, PhD Karyl J.
Published: June 2014

Objective: The Joint Committee to Create a National Policy to Enhance Survivability from Mass Casualty Shooting Events was formed to make recommendations to improve survival from intentional mass casualty incidents. This article describes the development of the Hartford Consensus and the process used to disseminate and implement its findings.Main outcome: Members of the Committee included individuals from select public safety organizations. The first meeting of the Committee was held on April 2, 2013, and a second meeting was held on July 11, 2013. Attendance at the second meeting was enlarged and included representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Security Staff of the Office of the President. The results of these meetings became known as the Hartford Consensus.Results: The ideas generated at the meetings produced two documents, one from each meeting. These are referred to as Hartford Consensus I and II. Hartford Consensus I is a concept document and Hartford Consensus II is a call to action that no one should die from uncontrolled bleeding. The recommendations are being incorporated into training programs and have been endorsed by many organizations whose members are involved in the response to mass casualty incidents.Conclusion: The Joint Committee to Create a National Policy to Enhance Survivability from Mass Casualty Shooting Events was successful in stimulating policy to bring about change. Training and resources including tourniquets and hemostatic dressing are being directed to help ameliorate the unfortunate reality of intentional mass injury.
Winter 2011
Authors: DeVito, Jr. Richard A.
Published: June 2014

Volume 10, Number 1
Warning response on a university campus: Anticipating message confirmation behavior among undergraduate students
Authors: Gow, PhD Gordon A. , McGee, PhD Tara K. , Romanowski, MA Sharon
Published: June 2014

An exploratory study was conducted at the University of Alberta to examine how undergraduate students might respond to an emergency alert on campus. Findings from the study were derived from an innovative methodology that used text messaging to prompt in situ observations on campus and to inform subsequent focus group discussions about students’ warning response decision making. Additional observations were also made based on a sample of messages posted on the social media platform Twitter following an actual campus alert issued in April 2010. Findings suggest that informal communication channels play a key role in shaping response decision making among students outside of classroom settings. In classroom and laboratory settings, however, faculty and teaching assistants may play a critical role in supporting confirmation of messages and influencing students’ response decisions. Recommendations for emergency planners are discussed, including the use of social media in support of official warnings and the development of “just-in-time” electronic resources for campus faculty and teaching staff.
Analyzing after-action reports from Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina: Repeated, modified, and newly created recommendations
Authors: Knox, PhD Claire Connolly
Published: June 2014

Thirteen years after Hurricane Andrew struck Homestead, FL, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Alabama, and southeastern Louisiana. Along with all its destruction, the term “catastrophic” was redefined. This article extends the literature on these hurricanes by providing a macrolevel analysis of The Governor’s Disaster Planning and Response Review Committee Final Report from Hurricane Andrew and three federal after-action reports from Hurricane Katrina, as well as a cursory review of relevant literature. Results provide evidence that previous lessons have not been learned or institutionalized with many recommendations being repeated or modified. This article concludes with a discussion of these lessons, as well as new issues arising during Hurricane Katrina.
Comparison of ArcToolbox and Terrain Tiles processing procedures for inundation mapping in mountainous terrain
Authors: Darnell, MSCE, EIT Andrew , Wise, MSCE, EIT Richard , Quaranta, PhD, PE John
Published: June 2014

Floodplain management consists of efforts to reduce flood damage to critical infrastructure and to protect the life and health of individuals from flooding. A major component of this effort is the monitoring of flood control structures such as dams because the potential failure of these structures may have catastrophic consequences. To prepare for these threats, engineers use inundation maps that illustrate the flood resulting from high river stages. To create the maps, the structure and river systems are modeled using engineering software programs, and hydrologic events are used to simulate the conditions leading to the failure of the structure. The output data are then exported to other software programs for the creation of inundation maps. Although the computer programs for this process have been established, the processing procedures vary and yield inconsistent results. Thus, these processing methods need to be examined to determine the functionality of each in floodplain management practices. The main goal of this article is to present the development of a more integrated, accurate, and precise graphical interface tool for interpretation by emergency managers and floodplain engineers. To accomplish this purpose, a potential dam failure was simulated and analyzed for a candidate river system using two processing methods: ArcToolbox and Terrain Tiles. The research involved performing a comparison of the outputs, which revealed that both procedures yielded similar inundations for single river reaches. However, the results indicated key differences when examining outputs for large river systems. On the basis of criteria involving the hydrologic accuracy and effects on infrastructure, the Terrain Tiles inundation surpassed the ArcToolbox inundation in terms of following topography and depicting flow rates and flood extents at confluences, bends, and tributary streams. Thus, the Terrain Tiles procedure is a more accurate representation of flood extents for use by floodplain engineers, hydrologists, geographers, and emergency managers.
Assessing the quality of state disaster recovery plans: Implications for policy and practice
Authors: Sandler, MRP Dylan , Smith, PhD Gavin
Published: June 2014

Pre-event planning for postdisaster recovery helps to improve recovery outcomes following disasters by engaging the network of stakeholders involved in recovery and working to develop a degree of consensus around recovery priorities. States serve as a linchpin between local communities and federal agencies, and the development of comprehensive state recovery plans allows states to communicate recovery goals and decision-making processes. This article addresses the limitations of what we know about the role of the state in disaster recovery by describing the application of a plan quality evaluation tool to a sample of state recovery plans. The plans evaluated in this study tended to be heavily focused on federal and state programs and grants available following disasters. To effectively guide recovery decision-making and encourage community resilience, state recovery plans should help to set a direction for recovery and develop corresponding policies that may be implemented by the broad network of stakeholders involved in recovery.
Resilient campuses: Leveraging resources among small- and moderate-sized institutions of higher education
Authors: Green, PhD Rebekah
Published: June 2014

Universities and colleges provide students with an opportunity to grow personally and professionally through a structured series of learning experiences. Yet disasters can interrupt traditional place-based education and prove to be intractable policy problems. The challenges of developing robust plans and drilling them extensively are most pronounced among smaller public colleges and universities. This article describes how three small- to moderate-sized higher education institutions formed a consortium to better prepare for emergencies, despite limited resources. Together the institutions built common templates, hired joint staff, and created a suit of joint exercises appropriate for their small size and campus-specific needs. In the process, they shared unique perspectives that improved resilience across the institutions.
Shelter-in-place and mental health: An analogue study of well-being and distress
Authors: Dailey, EdD Stephanie F. , Kaplan, PhD David
Published: June 2014

Based on the disaster mental health literature and research on quarantine, confinement, social distancing, and isolation, considerable evidence exists which supports the idea that individuals who shelter-in-place (SIP) may experience adverse emotional and/or mental-health responses. Objective: This study investigated the impact of a long-term (48-hour) SIP simulation on mental health during a “dirty bomb” detonation.Design/participants: Participants (n = 73) completed the Mental Health Inventory (MHI; Veit and Ware, 1983) and a self-report questionnaire on current functioning.Results: Sheltering-in-place did not have adverse effects on mental health although supplemental analysis indicated that groups that are cohesive have an easier time. Qualitative observations also provided a significant amount of information regarding group dynamics, attrition, and cognitive functioning. Conclusions: The results of this study provide evidence to emergency management professionals that SIP is viable disaster response strategy that does not adversely impact mental health provided group cohesion is high. The findings also have implications regarding public messaging and outreach initiatives regarding the emotional and physical safety of SIP.
Pediatric disaster triage education and skills assessment: A coalition approach
Authors: Kenningham, MD Katherine , Koelemay, MD, MPH Kathryn , King, MD, MPH Mary A.
Published: June 2014

Objective: This study aims to 1) demonstrate one method of pediatric disaster preparedness education using a regional disaster coalition organized workshop and 2) evaluate factors reflecting the greatest shortfall in pediatric mass casualty incident (MCI) triage skills in a varied population of medical providers in King County,WA.Design: Educational intervention and cross-sectional survey.Setting: Pediatric disaster preparedness conference created de novo and offered by the King County Healthcare Coalition, with didactic sessions and workshops including a scored mock pediatric MCI triage. Participants: Ninety-eight providers from throughout the King County, WA, region selected by their own institutions following invitation to participate, with 88 completing exit surveys.Interventions: Didactic lectures regarding pediatric MCI triage followed by scored exercises.Main outcome measures: Mock triage scores were analyzed and compared according to participant characteristics and workplace environment.Results: A half-day regional pediatric disaster preparedness educational conference convened in September 2011 by the King County Healthcare Coalition in partnership with regional pediatric experts was so effective and well-received that it has been rescheduled yearly (2012 and 2013) and has expanded to three Washington State venues sponsored by the Washington State Department of Health. Emergency department (ED) or intensive care unit (ICU) employment and regular exposure to pediatric patients best predicted higher mock pediatric MCI triage scores (ED/ICU 80 percent vs non-ED/ICU 73 percent, p = 0.026; regular pediatric exposure 80 percent vs less exposure 77 percent, p = 0.038, respectively). Pediatric Advanced Life Support training was not found to be associated with improved triage performance, and mock patients whose injuries were not immediately life threatening tended to be over-triaged (observed trend).Conclusions: A regional coalition can effectively organize member hospitals and provide education for focused populations using specialty experts such as pediatricians. Providers working in higher acuity environments and those with regular pediatric patient exposure perform better mock pediatric MCI triage than their counterparts after just-in-time training. Pediatric MCI patients with less than life-threatening injuries tended to be over-triaged.
Emergency management logistics must become emergency supply chain management
Authors: Young, PhD, FCILT Richard R. , Peterson, MBA, CSCP, SCOR-P Matthew R.
Published: June 2014

Much has been written about how emergency management (EM) needs to look to the future regarding issues of resource management (monetary, human, and material). Constraints on budgets are ongoing and the staffing of emergency response activities is often difficult because volunteers have little to no training. The management of material resources has also been a challenge because 1) the categories of material vary by the type of emergency, 2) the necessary quantities of material are often not located near the ultimate point of need, and 3) the transportation assets are rarely available in the form and quantity required to allow timely and effective response. The logistics and resource management functions of EM (what we refer to as EM logistics) have been largely reactive, with little to no pre-event planning for potential demand. We applied the Supply Chain Operational Reference (SCOR) model to EM logistics in an effort to transform it to an integrated and scalable system of physical, information, and financial flows into which are woven the functions of sourcing, making, delivering, and returning, with an overarching planning function that transcends the organizational boundaries of participants. The result is emergency supply chain management, which embraces many more participants who share in a larger quantity of more useful information about the resources that need to be deployed when responding to and recovering from emergency events.
Determination and climatology of the planetary boundary layer height by in-situ and remote sensing methods as well as the COSMO model above the Swiss plateau
Authors: Collaud Coen M. , Praz C. , Haefele A. , Ruffieux D. , Kaufmann P. , Calpini B.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The planetary boundary layer (PBL) height is a key parameter in air quality control and pollutant dispersion. The PBL height can however not be directly measured and its estimation relies on the analysis of the vertical profiles of the temperature, the turbulences or the atmospheric composition. An operational PBL height detection including several remote sensing instruments (windprofiler, Raman lidar, microwave radiometer) and several algorithms (Parcel and bulk Richardson number methods, surface-based temperature inversion, aerosol or humidity gradient analysis) were developed and the first year of application allowed validating these various detection methods against radio sounding measurements. The microwave radiometer provides convective boundary layer heights in good agreement with the radio sounding (median bias < 25 m, R2 > 0.70) and allows to fully analyzing the PBL height diurnal cycle due to its smaller time granularity. The Raman lidar also leads to good results whereas the windprofiler yields some more dispersed results. Comparisons with the numerical weather prediction model COSMO-2 were also established and point out a general overestimation by the model. Finally the seasonal cycles of the daytime and nighttime PBL heights are discussed for each instrument and each detection algorithm for two stations on the Swiss plateau.
Explicit representation of subgrid variability in cloud microphysics yields weaker aerosol indirect effect in the ECHAM5-HAM2 climate model
Authors: Tonttila J. , Järvinen H. , Räisänen P.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Impacts of representing cloud microphysical processes in a stochastic subcolumn framework are investigated, with emphasis on estimating the aerosol indirect effect. It is shown that subgrid treatment of cloud activation and autoconversion of cloud water to rain reduce the impact of anthropogenic aerosols on cloud properties and thus reduce the global mean aerosol indirect effect by 18%, from 1.59 to 1.30 W m−2. Although the results show the importance of considering subgrid variability in the treatment of autoconversion, representing several processes in a self-consistent subgrid framework is emphasized. This paper provides direct evidence that omitting subgrid variability in cloud microphysics significantly contributes to the apparently chronic overestimation of the aerosol indirect effect by climate models, as compared to satellite-based estimates.
Radiocarbon analysis of elemental and organic carbon in Switzerland during winter-smog episodes from 2008 to 2012 – Part 1: Source apportionment and spatial variability
Authors: Zotter P. , Ciobanu V. G. , Zhang Y. L. , El-Haddad I. , Macchia M. , Daellenbach K. R. , Salazar G. A. , Huang R.-J. , Wacker L. , Hueglin C. , Piazzalunga A. , Fermo P. , Schwikowski M. , Baltensperger U. , Szidat S. , Prévôt A. S. H.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. While several studies have investigated winter-time air pollution with a wide range of concentration levels, hardly any results are available for longer time periods covering several winter-smog episodes at various locations; e.g. often only a few weeks from a single winter are investigated. Here, we present source apportionment results of winter-smog episodes from 16 air pollution monitoring stations across Switzerland from five consecutive winters. Radiocarbon (14C) analyses of the elemental (EC) and organic (OC) carbon fractions, as well as levoglucosan, major water-soluble ionic species and gas-phase pollutant measurements were used to characterize the different sources of PM10. The most important contributions to PM10 during winter-smog episodes in Switzerland were on average the secondary inorganic constituents (sum of nitrate, sulfate and ammonium = 41 ± 15%) followed by organic matter OM (30 ± 12%) and EC (5 ± 2%). The non-fossil fractions of OC (fNF,OC) ranged on average from 69–85% and 80–95 % for stations north and south of the Alps, respectively, showing that traffic contributes on average only up to ~30% to OC. The non-fossil fraction of EC (fNF,EC), entirely attributable to primary biomass burning, was on average 42 ± 13% and 49 ± 15% for north and south of the Alps, respectively. While a high correlation was observed between fossil EC and nitrogen oxides, both primarily emitted by traffic, these species did not significantly correlate with fossil OC (OCF), which seems to suggest that a considerable amount of OCF is secondary, formed from fossil precursors. Elevated fNF,EC and fNF,OC values and the high correlation of the latter with other wood burning markers, including levoglucosan and water soluble potassium (K+) indicate that biomass burning is the major source of carbonaceous aerosols during winter-smog episodes in Switzerland. The inspection of the non-fossil OC and EC levels and the relation with levoglucosan and water-soluble K+ shows different ratios for stations north and south of the Alps, most likely because of differences in burning technologies, for these two regions in Switzerland.
A simple and versatile cloud-screening method for MAX-DOAS retrievals
Authors: Gielen C. , Van Roozendael M. , Hendrick F. , Pinardi G. , Vlemmix T. , De Bock V. , De Backer H. , Fayt C. , Hermans C. , Gillotay D. , Wang P.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. We present a cloud-screening method based on differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) measurements, more specifically using zenith sky spectra and O4 differential slant-column densities (DSCDs). Using the colour index (CI), i.e. the ratio of the radiance at two wavelengths, we define different sky conditions including clear, thin clouds/polluted, fully-cloudy, and heavily polluted. We also flag the presence of broken and scattered clouds. The O4 absorption is a good tracer for cloud-induced light-path changes and is used to detect clouds and discriminate between instances of high aerosol optical depth (AOD) and high cloud optical depth (COD). We apply our cloud screening to MAX-DOAS (multi-axis DOAS) retrievals at three different sites with different typical meteorological conditions, more specifically suburban Beijing (39.75° N, 116.96° E), Brussels (50.78° N, 4.35° E) and Jungfraujoch (46.55° N, 7.98° E). We find that our cloud screening performs well characterizing the different sky conditions. The flags based on the colour index are able to detect changes in visibility due to aerosols and/or (scattered) clouds. The O4-based multiple-scattering flag is able to detect optically thick clouds, and is needed to correctly identify clouds for sites with extreme aerosol pollution. Removing data taken under cloudy conditions results in a better agreement, in both correlation and slope, between the AOD retrievals and measurements from other co-located instruments.
Superdiffusion revisited in view of collisionless reconnection
Authors: Treumann R. A. , Baumjohann W.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The concept of diffusion in collisionless space plasmas like those near the magnetopause and in the geomagnetic tail during reconnection is reexamined making use of the division of particle orbits into waiting orbits and break-outs into ballistic motion lying at the bottom, for instance, of Lévy flights. The rms average displacement in this case increases with time, describing superdiffusion, though faster than classical, is still a weak process, being however strong enough to support fast reconnection. Referring to two kinds of numerical particle-in-cell simulations we determine the anomalous diffusion coefficient, the anomalous collision frequency on which the diffusion process is based, and construct a relation between the diffusion coefficients and the resistive scale. The anomalous collision frequency from electron pseudo-viscosity in reconnection turns out to be of the order of the lower-hybrid frequency with the latter providing a lower limit, thus making similar assumptions physically meaningful. Tentative though not completely justified use of the κ distribution yields κ ≈ 6 in the reconnection diffusion region and, for the anomalous diffusion coefficient, the order of several times Bohm diffusivity.
Seasonal trends of dry and bulk concentration of nitrogen compounds over a rain forest in Ghana
Authors: Fattore F. , Bertolini T. , Materia S. , Gualdi S. , Thongo M'Bou A. , Nicolini G. , Valentini R. , De Grandcourt A. , Tedesco D. , Castaldi S.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. African tropical forests of the equatorial belt might receive significant input of extra nitrogen derived from biomass burning occurring in the north savanna belt and transported equatorward by northeastern winds. In order to test this hypothesis an experiment was set up in a tropical rain forest in the Ankasa Game Reserve and Nini-Suhien National Park (Ghana) aimed at quantifying magnitude and seasonal variability of concentrations of N compounds, present as gas and aerosol (dry nitrogen) or in the rainfall (bulk nitrogen), over the studied forest; and relating their seasonal variability to trends of local and regional winds and rainfall and to variations of fire events in the region. Three DELTA systems, implemented for monthly measurements of NO2, were mounted over a tower at 45 m height, 20 m above forest canopy to sample gas (NH3, NO2, HNO3, HCl, SO2) and aerosol (NH4+, NO3−, and several ions), together with three tanks for bulk rainfall collection (to analyze NH4+, NO3− and ion concentration). The tower was provided with a sonic anemometer to estimate local wind data. The experiment started in October 2011 and data up to October 2012 are presented. To interpret the observed seasonal trends of measured compounds, local and regional meteo data and regional satellite fire data were analyzed. The concentration of N compounds significantly increased from December to April, during the drier period, peaking from December to February when NE winds (the Harmattan) were moving dry air masses over the west-central African region, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) was at its minimum latitude over the Equator. This period also coincided with fire peaks in the whole region. On the contrary, N concentration in gas, aerosol and rain decreased from May to October when prevalent winds arrived from the sea (southeast), during the monsoon period. Both ionic compositions of rain and analysis of local wind direction showed a significant and continuous presence of see breeze at site. The ionic composition of rainwater resulted much closer to seawater and poorer in N compounds from May to October.
Quantifying legacies of clearcut on carbon fluxes and biomass carbon stock in northern temperate forests
Authors: Wang W. , Xiao J. , Ollinger S. V. , Desai A. R. , Chen J. , Noormets A.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Stand-replacing disturbances including harvests have substantial impacts on forest carbon (C) fluxes and stocks. The quantification and simulation of these effects is essential for better understanding forest C dynamics and informing forest management in the context of global change. We evaluated the process-based forest ecosystem model, PnET-CN, for how well and by what mechanisms changes of ecosystem C fluxes, aboveground C stocks (AGC), and leaf area index (LAI) arise after clearcuts. We compared the effects of stand-replacing harvesting on C fluxes and stocks using two chronosequences of eddy covariance flux sites for deciduous broadleaf forests (DBF) and evergreen needleleaf forests (ENF) in the Upper Midwest region of northern Wisconsin and Michigan, USA. The average values of normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) and the Willmott index of agreement (d) between simulated and inferred from observation variables including gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (ER), net ecosystem productivity (NEP), LAI, and AGC in the two chronosequences were 20% and 0.90, respectively. Simulated GPP increased with stand age, reaching a maximum (∼1200–1500 g C m−2 yr−1) at 11–30 years of age, and leveled off thereafter (∼900–1000 g C m−2 yr−1). Simulated ER for both forest types was initially as high as ∼700–1000 g C m−2 yr−1 in the first or second year after clearcuts, decreased with age (∼400–800 g C m−2 yr−1) before canopy closure at 10–25 years of age, and increased to ∼800–900 g C m−2 yr−1 with stand development after canopy recovery. Simulated NEP for both forest types was initially negative with the net C losses of ∼400–700 g C m−2 yr−1 for 6–17 years after harvesting, reached the peak values of ∼400–600 g C m−2 yr−1 at 14–29 years of age, and became stable and a weak C sink (∼100–200 g C m−2 yr−1) in mature forests (>60 years old). The decline of NEP with age was caused by the relative flatting of GPP and gradual increasing of ER. ENF recovered slower from net C source to net sink and lost more C than DBF, suggesting ENF are likely slower to recover C assimilation capacity after stand-replacing harvests due to slower development of photosynthesis with stand age. Model results indicated that increasing harvesting intensity would delay recovery of NEP after clearing, but had little effect on C dynamics during late succession. Further improvements in numerical process-based forest population dynamic models for predicting the effects of climate change and forest harvests are considered.
Numerical modelling of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods using physically based dam-breach models
Authors: Westoby M. J. , Brasington J. , Glasser N. F. , Hambrey M. J. , Reynolds J. M. , Hassan M. A. A. M.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The rapid development and instability of moraine-dammed proglacial lakes is increasing the potential for the occurrence of catastrophic Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in high-mountain regions. Advanced, physically-based numerical dam-breach models represent an improvement over existing methods for the derivation of breach outflow hydrographs. However, significant uncertainty surrounds the initial parameterisation of such models, and remains largely unexplored. We use a unique combination of numerical dam-breach and two-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling, employed with a Generalised Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) framework to quantify the degree of equifinality in dam-breach model output for the reconstruction of the failure of Dig Tsho, Nepal. Monte Carlo analysis was used to sample the model parameter space, and morphological descriptors of the moraine breach were used to evaluate model performance. Equifinal breach morphologies were produced by parameter ensembles associated with differing breach initiation mechanisms, including overtopping waves and mechanical failure of the dam face. The material roughness coefficient was discovered to exert a dominant influence over model performance. Percentile breach hydrographs derived from cumulative distribution function hydrograph data under- or overestimated total hydrograph volume and were deemed to be inappropriate for input to hydrodynamic modelling. Our results support the use of a Total Variation Diminishing solver for outburst flood modelling, which was found to be largely free of numerical instability and flow oscillation. Routing of scenario-specific optimal breach hydrographs revealed prominent differences in the timing and extent of inundation. A GLUE-based method for constructing likelihood-weighted maps of GLOF inundation extent, flow depth, and hazard is presented, and represents an effective tool for communicating uncertainty and equifinality in GLOF hazard assessment. However, future research should focus on the utility of the approach for predictive, as opposed to reconstructive GLOF modelling.
Substanzuntersuchungen an präkambrischen Favososphaeren/Silicobacteria
Authors: Burmann G.
Published: June 2014

Aus der präkambrischen Lausitzer Grauwackeneinheit wurden in mineralischer Substanz überlieferte Mikrofossilien — Favososphaeren — mit Hilfe von EDS (energiedispersives Spektrum) untersucht. Die Ergebnisse der Substanzanalysen belegen für die Kugeln eine Zusammensetzung aus SiO2 als Hauptsubstanz und eine sulfidische Zusammensetzung für die opaken Einschlüsse (Sulfidkörner). Die Favososphaeren sind morphologisch annähernd vergleichbar mit dem rezenten marinen Archaebacterium Staphylothermus marinus. Auf der Grundlage der Substanzdaten und der morphologischen Vergleichsmöglichkeit werden die Favososphaeren als eine spezielle Gruppe fossiler Archaebacteria angesehen, bezeichnet als Silicobacteria. Sie sind gekennzeichnet durch einen schwefelabhängigen Metabolismus, den Einbau kieseliger Substanz und eine Lebensweise als Mikrobenthos. Die Silicobacteria (Favososphaeren sensu lato) werden unterschieden in die Familie Concentrisphaeridae mit konzentrisch-schaligem Aufbau und die Familie Favososphaeridae (Favososphaeren sensu stricto) mit Wabenstruktur.

 Neue Taxa sind: Tenuisphaera faveolata, Crassosphaera brandenburgensis, Concentrisphaera crassogranulata, C. duplicata, C. triplicata, C. associata, Favososphaera magna, F. intermedia, F. circumpolaris, F. bipolaris, F. aequatorialis, F. coronata.

 Substance investigations of Precambrian Favosospheres/Silicobacteria. Part 1: Primary composition of Favosospheres.

 Favosospheres (microfossils in mineral preservation) from the Precambrian Lusatian greywacke unit were investigated by EDS (energy dispersive spectrum). EDS-data indicate a SiO2-composition of the spheres and a sulfidic composition of opaque inclusions (sulfidic grains). The favosospheres are morphologically comparable with the living marine archaebacterium Staphylothermus marinus. On the base of chemical and morphological data, the favosospheres are interpreted as a special group of fossil archaebacteria, for which is proposed the name Silicobacteria. They are characterised by a sulfur-dependent metabolism, siliceous composition and a microbenthic habit. The Silicobacteria (Favososphaeres sensu lato) are divided into the family Concentrisphaeridae, characterised by concentric structure of the spheres and the family Favososphaeridae (favosospheres sensu stricto), characterised by a honeycomb structure.

 The following new taxa are described: Tenuisphaera faveolata, Crassosphaera brandenburgensis, Concentrisphaera crassogranulata, C. duplicata, C. triplicata, C. associata, Favososphaera magna, F. intermedia, F. circumpolaris, F. bipolaris, F. aequatorialis, F. coronata.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010113
Eurycormus – Eurypoma, two Jurassic actinopterygian genera with mixed identity
Authors: Arratia G. , Schultze H.-P.
Published: June 2014

Three Late Jurassic actinopterygian species are commonly placed in the genus Eurycormus: E. egertoni, E. grandis and E. speciosus. A detailed comparison supports an earlier assignment to two different genera, Eurycormus Wagner, 1863 (speciosus) and Eurypoma Huxley, 1866 (E. egertoni and E. grande). Systematically, the two genera are only distantly related; Eurycormus belongs to the Teleosteomorpha, whereas Eurypoma is a halecomorph closely related to or a member of the Caturoidea within the Amiiformes.

 Drei oberjurassische Actinopterygier-Arten, egertoni, grandis und speciosus, werden gewöhnlich zur Gattung Eurycormus gestellt. Ein detaillierter Vergleich der drei Arten bestätigt eine frühere Zuordnung zu zwei verschiedenen Gattungen, Eurycormus Wagner, 1863 (speciosus) und Eurypoma Huxley, 1866 (E. egertoni und E. grande), die zwei höheren Taxa innerhalb der Neopterygii zugeordnet werden: Eurycormus zu den Teleosteomorpha und Eurypoma zu den Amiiformes innerhalb der Halecomorphi, möglicherweise nahe oder innerhalb der Caturoidea.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200600016
A large parasitengonid mite (Acari, Erythraeoidea) from the Early Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil
Authors: Dunlop J. A.
Published: June 2014

A new large, fossil mite (Arachnida: Acari), Pararainbowia martilli n. gen. n. sp., is described from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) Crato Formation from Ceará State, Brazil. It is assigned to the Cohort Parasitengona and the superfamily Erythraeoidea, some extant members of which can reach up to seven millimetres in body length. Given that doubts have been raised about the identity of putative Crato feather mite eggs, this new fossil represents the first unequivocal record of Acari from the Crato Formation, the first non-amber record of an erythraeoid mite and the oldest named example of this superfamily. Fossil erythraeoids from Mesozoic and Tertiary ambers are briefly reviewed – including a widely overlooked Late Cretaceous species – with comments on Mesozoic mites in general. Thirteen Baltic amber erythraeoids have been formally described, but much unstudied material from various amber sources remains.

 Ein neues großes Milbenfossil (Arachnida: Acari), Pararainbowia martilli n. gen. n. sp., wird aus der Crato Formation (Unterkreide, Aptium) des Ceará Gebietes in Brasilien beschrieben. Es wird der Kohorte Parasitengona und der Überfamilie Erythraeoidea zugeordnet; die modernen Vertreter erreichen eine Körperlänge bis zu sieben mm. Weil die Identität von Federmilbeneiern aus der Crato Formation in Frage gestellt wurde, ist dieser Neufund der erste klare Hinweis von Acari aus der Crato Formation. Es ist die erste erythraeoide Milbe, die nicht aus dem Bernstein stammt sowie das älteste genannte Beispiel dieser Überfamilie. Fossile erythraeoide Milben aus dem Bernstein des Mesozoikum und des Tertiärs werden kurz zusammengefasst – u. a. eine weitgehend übersehene Art aus der Oberkreide – mit allgemeinen Anmerkungen zu den mesozoischen Milben. Dreizehn erythraeoide Milbenarten sind aus dem baltischen Bernstein genannt und beschrieben worden, aber weiteres unbearbeitetes Material von verschiedenen Bernstein-Fundpunkten liegt noch vor.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200700001
Early Carboniferous ammonoid faunas and stratigraphy of the Montagne Noire (France)
Authors: Korn D. , Feist R.
Published: June 2014

The early Carboniferous (Mississippian) sedimentary succession of the Montagne Noire is subdivided into three major lithostratigraphic units, in ascending order the Montagne Noire Griotte Group (Devonian to Early Tournaisian), the Tournaisian to Viséan Saint-Nazaire Group (with the Lydiennes, Faugères, Colonnes, and Puech Capel Formations, the latter new), and the Laurens Flysch Group (late Viséan). The ammonoid assemblages in these rock units are reviewed. A total of 29 Early Carboniferous ammonoid taxa at species level are determined. The new genus Nigrocyclus n. gen., and the new species Gattendorfia nazairensis n. sp., Globimitoceras albaillei n. sp., and Neogoniatites canovasi n. sp. are described.

 Die unterkarbonische Abfolge von Sedimentgesteinen in der Montagne Noire wird in drei lithostratigraphische Einheiten untergliedert, von unten nach oben die Montagne Noire Griotte Gruppe (Oberdevon bis Untertournai), die Saint-Nazaire Gruppe des Tournaisium und Viséum (mit den Lydiennes Faugères, Colonnes und Puech Capel Formationen, von denen die letzte neu ist), und der Laurens Flysch Gruppe (Oberviséum). Die Ammonoideen-Vergesellschaftungen in diesen Gesteinen werden revidiert. Insgesamt werden 29 unterkarbonische Ammonoideen-Taxa auf Artebene aufgeführt; neu beschrieben werden die Gattung Nigrocyclus n. gen. sowie die Arten Gattendorfia nazairensis n. sp., Globimitoceras albaillei n. sp. und Neogoniatites canovasi n. sp.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200700002
A Late Carboniferous fossil scorpion from the Piesberg, near Osnabrück, Germany
Authors: Dunlop J. A. , Brauckmann C. , Steur H.
Published: June 2014

A new fossil scorpion – only the second from the Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) of western Germany – is described from the Westphalian D of the Piesberg near Osnabrück, Germany. This slender and rather gracile specimen is very closely related to the stratigraphically contemporary Eoscorpius carbonarius Meek & Worthern, 1868 from Mazon Creek, Illinois, USA and is here assigned to E. cf. carbonarius. A precise placement is hindered by the need for revision of the late Carboniferous scorpion fauna.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200700010