bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bovine Lactoferrin-Induced CCL1 Expression Involves Distinct Receptors in Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells and Their Monocyte Precursors
Authors: Latorre Daniela , Pulvirenti Nadia , Covino Daniela , Varano Barbara , Purificato Cristina , Rainaldi Gabriella , Gauzzi Maria , Fantuzzi Laura , Conti Lucia , Donninelli Gloria , Del Cornò Manuela , Sabbatucci Michela , Gessani Sandra , Puddu Patrizia
Published: December 2015

Lactoferrin (LF) exhibits a wide range of immunomodulatory activities including modulation of cytokine and chemokine secretion. In this study, we demonstrate that bovine LF (bLF) up-modulates, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, CCL1 secretion in monocytes (Mo) at the early stage of differentiation toward dendritic cells (DCs), and in fully differentiated immature Mo-derived DCs (MoDCs). In both cell types, up-modulation of CCL1 secretion is an early event following bLF-mediated enhanced accumulation of CCL1 transcripts. Notably, bLF-mediated up-regulation of CCL1 involves the engagement of distinct surface receptors in MoDCs and their Mo precursors. We show that bLF-mediated engagement of CD36 contributes to CCL1 induction in differentiating Mo. Conversely, toll-like receptor (TLR)2 blocking markedly reduces bLF-induced CCL1 production in MoDCs. These findings add further evidence for cell-specific differential responses elicited by bLF through the engagement of distinct TLRs and surface receptors. Furthermore, the different responses observed at early and late stages of Mo differentiation towards DCs may be relevant in mediating bLF effects in specific body districts, where these cell types may be differently represented in physiopathological conditions.
The Dual Role of Exosomes in Hepatitis A and C Virus Transmission and Viral Immune Activation
Authors: Longatti Andrea
Published: December 2015

Exosomes are small nanovesicles of about 100 nm in diameter that act as intercellular messengers because they can shuttle RNA, proteins and lipids between different cells. Many studies have found that exosomes also play various roles in viral pathogenesis. Hepatitis A virus (HAV; a picornavirus) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV; a flavivirus) two single strand plus-sense RNA viruses, in particular, have been found to use exosomes for viral transmission thus evading antibody-mediated immune responses. Paradoxically, both viral exosomes can also be detected by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) leading to innate immune activation and type I interferon production. This article will review recent findings regarding these two viruses and outline how exosomes are involved in their transmission and immune sensing.
Aspects physiques de la région des étangs landais d'Arcachon à Soustons
Authors: Filliol Jean
Published: December 2015

Il convient de distinguer les étangs de Cazaux et de Parentis, qui sont de vrais lacs vastes et profonds, des petits étangs situés plus au Sud, en voie de comblement rapide. Une végétation originale caractérise le bord des étangs : animal, prairies marécageuses, puis fourrés de roseaux, enfin surfaces à demi-couvertes par les plantes aquatiques et herbiers flottants. Sa répartition est en partie commandée par les vents dominants qui transportent les débris végétaux vers le Sud et le Sud-Est, où le colmatage s'effectue plus vite. Les étangs sont en outre menacés par la progression des deltas sableux. Sous celte double action, le comblement en quelques siècles de petits étangs n'est évité que par le faucardage, qui détruit le macre (châtaigne d'eau) et le nénuphar. Avant la fixation des dunes littorales par la forêt de pins, celles-ci avançaient vers l'Est, provoquant un exhaussement du niveau des lacs. Il est complètement arrêté aujourd'hui, et le niveau tend à s'abaisser par suite de l'approfondissement des chenaux émissaires.
Cochlear Spiral Ganglion Neuron Apoptosis in Neonatal Mice with Murine Cytomegalovirus‐Induced Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Li Xuanyi , Shi Xi , Wang Caiji , Niu Haicheng , Zeng Lingyu , Qiao Yuehua
Published: December 2015

Background:Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common consequence of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, and could result in neurological abnormalities and intellectual and developmental disabilities.Purpose:To explore the mechanism of murine CMV (MCMV)‐induced
SNHL in neonatal mice model.Research Design:A repeated measures design was used.Study Sample:Total 72 neonatal BALB/C mice (36 males and 36 females) were randomly divided into two groups.Data Collection and Analysis:MCMV suspension (50% tissue culture infective dose =
104.15 IU/0.1 ml, 15 μl) or physiological saline was intracranially injected into neonatal mice in the experimental or control group, respectively. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was measured at three weeks postinjection. At 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days postinjection, MCMV-DNA
polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to detect MCMV infection in cochlea, followed by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling analysis and immunohistochemistry staining.Results:Extended latency, decreased
amplitude, and increased threshold of ABR wave I were observed in the experimental group. Polymerase chain reaction test was positive from 3 to 21 days postinjection in the experimental group and negative at each time point in the control group. The average apoptosis index was higher in the
experimental group than that in the control group from 3 to 21 days postinjection (p < 0.01). In addition, compared with the control group, B-cell lymphoma 2 and B-cell lymphoma 2‐associated protein ratio was decreased in the experimental group (p < 0.01).Conclusion:Spiral
ganglion neuron apoptosis was an important component of the mechanism of SNHL in MCMV-infected mice.
CARTOGRAPHIC VISUALIZATION OF OUTPUTS FOR SPATIAL DECISION-MAKING IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Ruda Aleš
Published: December 2015

Regional development is full of planning and decision making. Having precise results for spatial decision making (SDM) is more than necessary. On one site, there are many approaches how to process input data, on the other hand thematic cartography also operates with many visualizing methods and techniques. Loss of accuracy of the results is more than expected because there are two phases (data processing during SDM and cartographic visualization) where the accuracy might be distorted. In both phases processing recommendations must be obeyed. Selection of spatial decision making method must follow considered aims as well as visualization techniques and setting their parameters (especially during reclassification, interpolation or generalization). Paper deals with the proposal of elementary scheme of SDM and related visualization during two case studies (CS). First CS represents composite indicators proposal followed by weighted sum method using heuristics approaches with the aim to identify the tourism influence on the landscape. Combined visualization techniques for quantitative and qualitative data are presented. Second CS uses ordered weighted average method for finding the best place for building of a new public logistics centre. Constraints and factors represent key indicators and following factor and order weights enable to propose the best accepted risk model. In this case grid maps describe derived values and chosen reclassification documents conversion into linguistic variables.
Care of the Child with Special Needs
Authors: Traisman Edward S.
Published: December 2015

About 18% of all children in the United States have complex medical diseases, require technologic support, and/or have developmental or intellectual disability. These children require routine or maintenance care through the medical-home model. However, due to a lack of physicians, time, and financial constraints it is difficult for many of those children to obtain this care. Pediatricians often lack the training (or comfort level) to care for these children in the office setting. Having an understanding of what outpatient care entails to better serve this population will help the pediatrician provide a medical-home setting for children with special needs and their families.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2015;44(12):522–525.]
Gacaca Courts in Rwanda
Authors: Hankel Gerd
Published: December 2015

This article deals with the past activities of the gacaca courts in Rwanda. The first section of the article will review the reasons for reactivating the gacaca courts and consider its theoretical suitability as a means of resolving conflicts. The second part offers a survey of the actual implementation and results of the gacaca trials. In the final section, the concrete effects of these results on the inner-Rwandan processes of pacification and reconciliation are assessed.
Might the Keys to Peace Open the Doors to Extractivism?
Authors: Doughman Richard Clayton
Published: December 2015

The present paper explores what the ongoing peace talks between the Colombian government and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército Popular (FARC-EP) may mean to Colombia's growing extractive economy. Militarization during the decades-long conflict and the spike in rural, state and paramilitary violence under former President Alvaro Uribe Vélez's (2000-2008) have left an unequal land structure favorable to resource extraction by foreign multinational corporations. Concessions for mining and oil exploration now cover a large percentage of Colombian territory, and the policy environment has become ever more welcoming to foreign capital. While armed conflict has opened new territories for resource exploitation, the instability it has created could deter long-term foreign investment. This paper hypothesizes that current President Juan Manuel Santos's pursuit of peace with the FARC-EP aims to enhance conditions for intensified resource extraction in Colombia in consonance with the regional trend toward a recolonization of Latin America's natural commons.
Caguan's and Havana's Peace Talks
Authors: Zarama Felipe
Published: December 2015

Different to previous attempts, negotiations currently under way in Havana between the Government and FARC, since 2012, were preceded by a decline in both parties' contentious tactics. This chapter seeks to analyze the relation between the conflict cycle and the start of a peace process, through the Colombian experience, and Dean Pruitt and Sun Lee Kim's perceived stalemate concept. It is argued that Havana dialogues are likely to be successful on the grounds that it seems that both parties share a mutual perception of stalemate. Finally, it is suggested that the context in which dialogues arose may also have an impact in an eventual DDR process.
X-Ray Differaction and FESEM Analysis for Mixture of Hybrid Nanoparticles in Heat Transfer Applications
Authors: Nallusamy S. , Manoj Babu A.
Published: December 2015

Heat transfer development has encouraged researcher in recent decades to develop concepts and technologies promoted by manufactures of ultra compact, miniaturized the heat transfer application. In thermal engineering lots of particle are being used for heat transfer application astonishing potential of hybrid nanoparticles. Amalgamation of hybrid nanoparticles has increasing interest in heat transfer enhancement. In this research mixture of hybrid nanoparticle was prepared using Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) and Copper (Cu) in different proportion in order to increase thermal conductivity. Two tests of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis were carried out. The heat transfer development was found in the hybrid nanoparticles mixed with water and tested in shell and tube heat exchanger and found that the enhancement is more with nanofluid when compared to water alone. Hybrid nanoparticles form immediate precipitate when it was used in any mechanical applications and it characterised by an improvement of base particles like nanoparticles of metals, metal oxides and carbides.
Dynamic Regulation of Tandem 3′ Untranslated Regions in Zebrafish Spleen Cells during Immune Response
Authors: Huang Guangrui , Huang Shengfeng , Wang Ruihua , Yan Xinyu , Li Yuxin , Feng Yuchao , Wang Shaozhou , Yang Xia , Chen Liutao , Li Jun , You Leiming , Chen Shangwu , Luo Guangbin , Xu Anlong
Published: December 2015

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) has been found to be involved in tumorigenesis, development, and cell differentiation, as well as in the activation of several subsets of immune cells in vitro. Whether APA takes place in immune responses in vivo is largely unknown. We profiled the variation in tandem 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) in pathogen-challenged zebrafish and identified hundreds of APA genes with ∼10% being immune response genes. The detected immune response APA genes were enriched in TLR signaling, apoptosis, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. A greater number of microRNA target sites and AU-rich elements were found in the extended 3′ UTRs than in the common 3′ UTRs of these APA genes. Further analysis suggested that microRNA and AU-rich element–mediated posttranscriptional regulation plays an important role in modulating the expression of APA genes. These results indicate that APA is extensively involved in immune responses in vivo, and it may be a potential new paradigm for immune regulation.
Helminth Products Protect against Autoimmunity via Innate Type 2 Cytokines IL-5 and IL-33, Which Promote Eosinophilia
Authors: Finlay Conor M. , Stefanska Anna M. , Walsh Kevin P. , Kelly Patrick J. , Boon Louis , Lavelle Ed C. , Walsh Patrick T. , Mills Kingston H. G.
Published: December 2015

Epidemiologic studies in humans have demonstrated that infection with helminth parasites is associated with a reduced risk of developing autoimmune diseases. Mechanistic studies in mice have linked the protective effect of helminths on autoimmunity to the suppressive activity of helminth-induced regulatory T cells (Tregs) or Th2 cells. In this study, we demonstrate that treatment of mice with Fasciola hepatica excretory-secretory products (FHES) attenuated the clinical signs of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Protection was associated with a significant reduction in the infiltration of pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells into the brain. Although FHES enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokine and Th2 responses, protection against EAE was independent of IL-4, IL-10, and Tregs. However, administration of FHES induced production of the type 2 cytokines IL-33 and IL-5, which promoted accumulation of eosinophils. FHES-induced expansion of eosinophils and protection against EAE was lost in IL-33−/− mice and upon neutralization of IL-5. Furthermore, transfer of FHES-induced or IL-33–induced eosinophils conferred protection against EAE. In addition, treatment of mice with recombinant IL-33 attenuated autoimmunity, and this was dependent on IL-5. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report a role for helminth-induced IL-5 and IL-33 in protection against autoimmunity.
Giant condyloma acuminate due human papilloma virus type 16 in an infant successfully treated with topical imiquimod therapy
Authors: Dinleyici Meltem , Saracoglu Nurhan , Eren Makbule , Kiliç Ömer , Ciftci Evrim , Sag Cigdem , Kara Ates , Cagri Dinleyici Ener
Published: December 2015

Anogenital warts related to human papillomavirus (HPV) have been observed in children. Definition of the transmission mode, therapy, and follow-up for long term potential complications is important. A 27-month old girl was admitted with multiple pedunculated red-purple colored cauliflower-like lesions of 1.5 years duration. Clinical/histopathological and microbiological diagnosis was condyloma acuminate due to HPV type 16. After 12 weeks of imiquimod 5% cream application (pea-sized) overnight three times per week, the perianal warts had completely disappeared. The mode of transmission of HPV 16 in our case was probably horizontal, related to the sharing of common personal hygiene items in the women’s shelter. We report herein the case of an infant living in a women’s shelter with giant condyloma acuminata due to HPV 16, which was successfully treated with topical imiquimod therapy. This patient should be followed up for recurrence and potential malignant lesions related to HPV type 16.
The Concept of Care Complexity: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Guarinoni Milena , Petrucci Cristina , Lancia Loreto , Motta Paolo Carlo
Published: December 2015

Background

Hospital organisations based on the level of care intensity have clearly revealed a concept, that of care complexity, which has been widely used for decades in the healthcare field. Despite its wide use, this concept is still poorly defined and it is often confused with and replaced by similar concepts such as care intensity or workload. This study aims to describe the meaning of care complexity as perceived by nurses in their day-to-day experience of hospital clinical care, rehabilitation, home care, and organisation.

Design and methods

Fifteen interviews were conducted with nurses belonging to clinical-care areas and to heterogeneous organisational areas. The interview was of an unstructured type. The participants were selected using a propositional methodology. Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological method was chosen for the analysis of the interviews.

Results

The nurses who were interviewed predominantly perceive the definition of care complexity as coinciding with that of workload. Nevertheless, the managerial perspective does not appear to be exclusive, as from the in-depth interviews three fundamental themes emerge that are associated with the concept of care complexity: the patient, the nurse and the organisation.

Conclusions

The study highlights that care complexity consists of both quantitative and qualitative aspects that do not refer only to the organisational dimension. The use of the terminology employed today should be reconsidered: it appears to be inappropriate to talk of measurement of care complexity, as this concept also consists of qualitative – thus not entirely quantifiable – aspects referring to the person being cared for. In this sense, reference should instead be made to the evaluation of care complexity, which would also constitute a better and more complete basis for defining the nursing skills required in professional nursing practice.
Hypertension in rural communities in Delta State, Nigeria: Prevalence, risk factors and barriers to health care
Authors: Ofili Mary I. , Ncama Busisiwe P. , Sartorius Benn
Published: December 2015

Introduction: Hypertension is a global health challenge and its prevalence is increasing rapidly amongst adults in many African countries. Some studies on the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension have been conducted in Nigeria, but none within Delta State. We assessed the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors amongst adults in three villages in the Ibusa community in Delta State, Nigeria.Method: Homesteads were randomly selected and all consenting adults (≥ 18 years of age) were recruited for this cross-sectional study (134 individuals: 48 men, 86 women). Sociodemographic data and anthropometric measurements (weight, height and abdominal circumference) were recorded. Diagnosis of hypertension was based on blood pressure≥ 140/90 mmHg.Result: Hypertension prevalence in this rural community was 44%. Results from one village (Ogboli: 82%) and ethnic group (Ibo: 50%) were significantly higher than in others in the same variable category. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested increasing age, increasing body mass index and high salt intake as prominent risk factors for hypertension. Lack of funds and equipment shortage in clinics were most often reported as barriers to healthcare.Conclusion: A nutritional education programme to promote low-cholesterol and low-salt diets is recommended to specifically target people in higher-risk areas and of higher-risk ethnicity. Local barriers to accessing health care need to be addressed.
Molecular Profiling of Refractory Adrenocortical Cancers and Predictive Biomarkers to Therapy
Authors: Millis Sherri Z. , Ejadi Samuel , Demeure Michael J.
Published: December 2015

Purpose

Current first-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic adrenocortical cancer (ACC) includes doxorubicin, etoposide, cisplatin, and mitotane with a reported response rate of only 23.2%. New therapeutic leads for patients with refractory tumors are needed; there is no standard second-line treatment.

Methods

Samples from 135 ACC tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization (FISH or CISH), and/or gene sequencing at a single commercial reference laboratory (Caris Life Sciences) to identify markers associated with drug sensitivity and resistance.

Results

Overexpression of proteins related to demonstrated chemotherapy sensitivity or resistance included topoisomerase 1, progesterone receptor, and topoisomerase 2-alpha in 46%, 63%, and 42% of cases, respectively. Loss of excision repair cross-complementary group 1 (ERCC1), phosophatase and tensin homolog, O(6)-methylguanine-methyltransferase, and ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) was identified in 56%, 59%, 71%, and 58% of cases, respectively. Other aberrations included overexpression of programmed death-ligand 1 or programmed cell death protein 1 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in >40% of cases. In all, 35% of cases had a mutation in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway (either CTNNB1 or APC) and 48% had a mutation in TP53. No other genomic alterations were identified.

Conclusion

Biomarker alterations in ACC may be used to direct therapies, including recommendations for and potential resistance of some patients to traditional chemotherapies, which may explain the low response rate in the unselected population. Limited outcomes data support the use of mitotane and platinum therapies for patients with low levels of the proteins RRM1 and ERCC1.
Het fundamentele argument tegen sciëntisme
Authors: Peels Rik
Published: December 2015

The fundamental argument against scientism

This paper presents and discusses a major worry for scientism, which I take to be the view that only natural science (reliably) delivers rational belief. The argument is that natural science itself is, in some sense of the word, based on the fundament of the deliverances of non-scientific sources of belief, such as auditory perception, metaphysical intuition, logical intuition, and memory, so that if we were to discard these non-scientific sources of belief, we would have to discard natural science as well. After spelling out what I mean by ‘scientism’, I lay out the Fundamental Argument in detail. Subsequently, I discuss three objections that might be leveled against the argument, namely that scientism suffers merely from a local rather than a global basing problem, that the results of natural science are confirmed or repeatable, whereas the deliverances of non-scientific belief sources are not, and that the results of natural science are inter-subjective, whereas the deliverances of non-scientific are not. I argue that each of these objections is unconvincing. I then consider two more sophisticated versions of scientism that are meant to sidestep the Fundamental Argument. On Scientism 2.0, only natural science and those non-scientific sources of belief that are presupposed by natural science deliver rational belief. On Scientism 3.0, only those propositions can be rationally believed that can in principle be known on the basis of natural science. I argue that both of these more sophisticated versions of scientism either fail to escape from the Fundamental Argument or become trivial and uninteresting claims.
Sciëntisme, praat me er niet van
Authors: Visser Albert
Published: December 2015

Scientism, Enough of That

In this paper I argue that it is not a good idea to employ the notion of scientism in public debates concerning issues like free will. Moreover, I claim that, also in philosophy proper, thinking through the notion of scientism is not an urgent task. It is better to reflect directly on notions like justification, evidence, authority of science and the like.
Biomass burning emissions and potential air quality impacts of volatile organic compounds and other trace gases from fuels common in the US
Authors: Gilman J. B. , Lerner B. M. , Kuster W. C. , Goldan P. D. , Warneke C. , Veres P. R. , Roberts J. M. , de Gouw J. A. , Burling I. R. , Yokelson R. J.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. A comprehensive suite of instruments was used to quantify the emissions of over 200 organic gases, including methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 9 inorganic gases from 56 laboratory burns of 18 different biomass fuel types common in the southeastern, southwestern, or northern US. A gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrument provided extensive chemical detail of discrete air samples collected during a laboratory burn and was complemented by real-time measurements of organic and inorganic species via an open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR) instrument and three different chemical ionization-mass spectrometers. These measurements were conducted in February 2009 at the US Department of Agriculture's Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana and were used as the basis for a number of emission factors reported by Yokelson et al. (2013). The relative magnitude and composition of the gases emitted varied by individual fuel type and, more broadly, by the three geographic fuel regions being simulated. Discrete emission ratios relative to carbon monoxide (CO) were used to characterize the composition of gases emitted by mass; reactivity with the hydroxyl radical, OH; and potential secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursors for the 3 different US fuel regions presented here. VOCs contributed less than 0.78 % ± 0.12 % of emissions by mole and less than 0.95 % × 0.07 % of emissions by mass (on average) due to the predominance of CO2, CO, CH4, and NOx emissions; however, VOCs contributed 70–90 (±16) % to OH reactivity and were the only measured gas-phase source of SOA precursors from combustion of biomass. Over 82 % of the VOC emissions by mole were unsaturated compounds including highly reactive alkenes and aromatics and photolabile oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) such as formaldehyde. OVOCs contributed 57–68 % of the VOC mass emitted, 41–54 % of VOC-OH reactivity, and aromatic-OVOCs such as benzenediols, phenols, and benzaldehyde were the dominant potential SOA precursors. In addition, ambient air measurements of emissions from the Fourmile Canyon Fire that affected Boulder, Colorado in September 2010 allowed us to investigate biomass burning (BB) emissions in the presence of other VOC sources (i.e., urban and biogenic emissions) and identify several promising BB markers including benzofuran, 2-furaldehyde, 2-methylfuran, furan, and benzonitrile.
Seasonal variation of ozone and black carbon observed at Paknajol, an urban site in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Authors: Putero D. , Cristofanelli P. , Marinoni A. , Adhikary B. , Duchi R. , Shrestha S. D. , Verza G. P. , Landi T. C. , Calzolari F. , Busetto M. , Agrillo G. , Biancofiore F. , Di Carlo P. , Panday A. K. , Rupakheti M. , Bonasoni P.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The Kathmandu Valley in south Asia is considered as one of the global "hot spots" in terms of urban air pollution. It is facing severe air quality problems as a result of rapid urbanization and land use change, socioeconomic transformation, and high population growth. In this paper, we present the first full year (February 2013–January 2014) analysis of simultaneous measurements of two short-lived climate forcers/pollutants (SLCF/P), i.e., ozone (O3) and equivalent black carbon (hereinafter noted as BC) and aerosol number concentration at Paknajol, in the city center of Kathmandu. The diurnal behavior of equivalent BC and aerosol number concentration indicated that local pollution sources represent the major contributions to air pollution in this city. In addition to photochemistry, the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and wind play important roles in determining O3 variability, as suggested by the analysis of seasonal changes of the diurnal cycles and the correlation with meteorological parameters and aerosol properties. Especially during pre-monsoon, high values of O3 were found during the afternoon/evening. This could be related to mixing and entrainment processes between upper residual layers and the PBL. The high O3 concentrations, in particular during pre-monsoon, appeared well related to the impact of major open vegetation fires occurring at the regional scale. On a synoptic-scale perspective, westerly and regional atmospheric circulations appeared to be especially conducive for the occurrence of the high BC and O3 values. The very high values of SLCF/P, detected during the whole measurement period, indicated persisting adverse air quality conditions, dangerous for the health of over 3 million residents of the Kathmandu Valley, and the environment. Consequently, all of this information may be useful for implementing control measures to mitigate the occurrence of acute pollution levels in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding area.
The Aerosol Limb Imager: acousto-optic imaging of limb scattered sunlight for stratospheric aerosol profiling
Authors: Elash B. J. , Bourassa A. E. , Loewen P. R. , Lloyd N. D. , Degenstein D. A.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The Aerosol Limb Imager (ALI) is an optical remote sensing instrument designed to image scattered sunlight from the atmospheric limb. These measurements are used to retrieve spatially resolved information of the stratospheric aerosol distribution, including spectral extinction coefficient and particle size. Here we present the design, development and test results of an ALI prototype instrument. The long term goal of this work is the eventual realization of ALI on a satellite platform in low earth orbit, where it can provide high spatial resolution observations, both in the vertical and cross-track. The instrument design uses a large aperture Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) to image the sunlit stratospheric limb in a selectable narrow wavelength band ranging from the visible to the near infrared. The ALI prototype was tested on a stratospheric balloon flight from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) launch facility in Timmins, Canada, in September 2014. Preliminary analysis of the hyperspectral images indicate that the radiance measurements are of high quality, and we have used these to retrieve vertical profiles of stratospheric aerosol extinction coefficient from 650–1000 nm, along with one moment of the particle size distribution. Those preliminary results are promising and development of a satellite prototype of ALI within the Canadian Space Agency is ongoing.
Industrial SO2 emissions monitoring using a portable multi-channel gas analyzer with an optimized retrieval algorithm
Authors: Sun Y. W. , Liu C. , Xie P. H. , Hartl A. , Chan K. L. , Tian Y. , Wang W. , Qin M. , Liu J. G. , Liu W. Q.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. In this paper, we demonstrate achieving accurate industrial SO2 emissions monitoring using a portable multi-channel gas analyzer with an optimized retrieval algorithm. The introduced analyzer features with large dynamic measurement range and correction of interferences from other co-existing infrared absorbers, e.g., NO, CO, CO2, NO2, CH4, HC, N2O and H2O. Both effects have been the major limitations of industrial SO2 emissions monitoring. The multi-channel gas analyzer measures 11 different wavelength channels simultaneously in order to achieve correction of several major problems of an infrared gas analyzer, including system drift, conflict of sensitivity, interferences among different infrared absorbers and limitation of measurement range. The optimized algorithm makes use of a 3rd polynomial rather than a constant factor to quantify gas-to-gas interference. The measurement results show good performance in both linear and nonlinear range, thereby solving the problem that the conventional interference correction is restricted by the linearity of both intended and interfering channels. The result implies that the measurement range of the developed multi-channel analyzer can be extended to the nonlinear absorption region. The measurement range and accuracy are evaluated by experimental laboratory calibration. An excellent agreement was achieved with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.99977 with measurement range from ~5 ppmv to 10 000 ppmv and measurement error <2 %. The instrument was also deployed for field measurement. Emissions from 3 different factories were measured. The emissions of these factories have been characterized with different co-existing infrared absorbers, covering a wide range of concentration levels. We compared our measurements with the commercial SO2 analyzers. The overall good agreements are achieved.
Quantifying wind and pressure effects on trace gas fluxes across the soil–atmosphere interface
Authors: Redeker K. R. , Baird A. J. , Teh Y. A.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Large uncertainties persist in estimates of soil–atmosphere exchange of important trace gases. One significant source of uncertainty is the combined effect of wind and pressure on these fluxes. Wind and pressure effects are mediated by surface topography: few surfaces are uniform and over scales of tenths of a metre to tens of metres, air pressure and wind speed at the ground surface may be very variable. In this paper we consider how such spatial variability in air pressure and wind speed affects fluxes of trace gases. We used a novel nested wind tunnel design comprising a toroidial wind tunnel, in which wind speed and pressure may be controlled, set within a larger, linear wind tunnel. The effects of both wind speed and pressure differentials on fluxes of CO2 and CH4 within three different ecosystems (forest, grassland, peat bog) were quantified. We find that trace gas fluxes are positively correlated with both wind speed and pressure differential near the surface boundary. We argue that wind speed is the better proxy for trace gas fluxes because of its stronger correlation and because wind speed is more easily measured and wind speed measurement methodology more easily standardized. Trace gas fluxes, whether into or out of the soil, increase with wind speed within the toroidal tunnel (+55 % flux per m s−1), while faster, localized surface winds that are external to the toroidal wind tunnel reduce trace gas fluxes (−13 % flux per m s−1). These results are consistent for both trace gases over all ecosystem soil types studied. Our findings support the need for a revised conceptualization of soil–atmosphere gas exchange. We propose a conceptual model of the soil profile that has a "mixed layer", with fluxes controlled by wind speed, wind duration, porosity, water table, and gas production and consumption.
Using reactive transport codes to provide mechanistic biogeochemistry representations in global land surface models: CLM-PFLOTRAN 1.0
Authors: Tang G. , Yuan F. , Bisht G. , Hammond G. E. , Lichtner P. C. , Kumar J. , Mills R. T. , Xu X. , Andre B. , Hoffman F. M. , Painter S. L. , Thornton P. E.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. We explore coupling to a configurable subsurface reactive transport code as a flexible and extensible approach to biogeochemistry in land surface models; our goal is to facilitate testing of alternative models and incorporation of new understanding. A reaction network with the CLM-CN decomposition, nitrification, denitrification, and plant uptake is used as an example. We implement the reactions in the open-source PFLOTRAN code, coupled with the Community Land Model (CLM), and test at Arctic, temperate, and tropical sites. To make the reaction network designed for use in explicit time stepping in CLM compatible with the implicit time stepping used in PFLOTRAN, the Monod substrate rate-limiting function with a residual concentration is used to represent the limitation of nitrogen availability on plant uptake and immobilization. To achieve accurate, efficient, and robust numerical solutions, care needs to be taken to use scaling, clipping, or log transformation to avoid negative concentrations during the Newton iterations. With a tight relative update tolerance to avoid false convergence, an accurate solution can be achieved with about 50 % more computing time than CLM in point mode site simulations using either the scaling or clipping methods. The log transformation method takes 60–100 % more computing time than CLM. The computing time increases slightly for clipping and scaling; it increases substantially for log transformation for half saturation decrease from 10−3 to 10−9 mol m−3, which normally results in decreasing nitrogen concentrations. The frequent occurrence of very low concentrations (e.g. below nanomolar) can increase the computing time for clipping or scaling by about 20 %; computing time can be doubled for log transformation. Caution needs to be taken in choosing the appropriate scaling factor because a small value caused by a negative update to a small concentration may diminish the update and result in false convergence even with very tight relative update tolerance. As some biogeochemical processes (e.g., methane and nitrous oxide production and consumption) involve very low half saturation and threshold concentrations, this work provides insights for addressing nonphysical negativity issues and facilitates the representation of a mechanistic biogeochemical description in earth system models to reduce climate prediction uncertainty.
The Volta Grande do Xingu: reconstruction of past environments and forecasting of future scenarios of a unique Amazonian fluvial landscape
Authors: Sawakuchi A. O. , Hartmann G. A. , Sawakuchi H. O. , Pupim F. N. , Bertassoli D. J. , Parra M. , Antinao J. L. , Sousa L. M. , Sabaj Pérez M. H. , Oliveira P. E. , Santos R. A , Savian J. F. , Grohmann C. H. , Medeiros V. B. , McGlue M. M. , Bicudo D. C. , Faustino S. B.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The Xingu River is a large clearwater river in eastern Amazonia and its downstream sector, known as the Volta Grande do Xingu ("Xingu Great Bend"), is a unique fluvial landscape that plays an important role in the biodiversity, biogeochemistry and prehistoric and historic peopling of Amazonia. The sedimentary dynamics of the Xingu River in the Volta Grande and its downstream sector will be shifted in the next few years due to the construction of dams associated with the Belo Monte hydropower project. Impacts on river biodiversity and carbon cycling are anticipated, especially due to likely changes in sedimentation and riverbed characteristics. This research project aims to define the geological and climate factors responsible for the development of the Volta Grande landscape and to track its environmental changes during the Holocene, using the modern system as a reference. In this context, sediment cores, riverbed rock and sediment samples and greenhouse gas (GHG) samples were collected in the Volta Grande do Xingu and adjacent upstream and downstream sectors. The reconstruction of past conditions in the Volta Grande is necessary for forecasting future scenarios and defining biodiversity conservation strategies under the operation of Belo Monte dams. This paper describes the scientific questions of the project and the sampling surveys performed by an international team of Earth scientists and biologists during the dry seasons of 2013 and 2014. Preliminary results are presented and a future workshop is planned to integrate results, present data to the scientific community and discuss possibilities for deeper drilling in the Xingu ria to extend the sedimentary record of the Volta Grande do Xingu.
Why deep drilling in the Colônia Basin (Brazil)?
Authors: Ledru M.-P. , Reimold W. U. , Ariztegui D. , Bard E. , Crósta A. P. , Riccomini C. , Sawakuchi A. O.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The Colônia Deep Drilling Project held its first International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) workshop in September 2014 at the University of São Paulo (Brazil). Twenty-seven experts from six countries discussed the feasibility and the expectations of a deep drilling in the structure of Colônia located at the southwestern margin of the city of São Paulo. After presenting the studies performed at the site during the last decades, participants focused on the objectives, priorities and detailed planning for a full deep-drilling proposal. An excursion to the site and new auger coring showed the importance of the Colônia site for studying the evolution of a tropical rainforest and to evaluate the interplay between the South American summer monsoon, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the southern Westerlies belt during the last 5 million years. In addition, deep drilling will eventually solve the still unresolved issue of the origin of the structure of Colônia as a result of meteorite impact or endogenous processes.
Non-climatic signal in ice core records: lessons from Antarctic mega-dunes
Authors: Ekaykin A. , Eberlein L. , Lipenkov V. , Popov S. , Scheinert M. , Schröder L. , Turkeev A.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. We present the results of glaciological investigations in the mega-dune area located 30 km to the east from Vostok Station (central East Antarctica) implemented during the 58th, 59th and 60th Russian Antarctic Expedition (January 2013–January 2015). Snow accumulation rate and isotope content (δD, δ18O and δ17O) were measured along the 2 km profile across the mega-dune ridge accompanied by precise GPS altitude measurements and GPR survey. It is shown that the spatial variability of snow accumulation and isotope content covaries with the surface slope. The accumulation rate regularly changes by one order of magnitude within the distance < 1 km, with the reduced accumulation at the leeward slope of the dune and increased accumulation in the hollow between the dunes. At the same time, the accumulation rate averaged over the length of a dune wave (22 mm we) corresponds well with the value obtained at Vostok Station, which suggests no additional wind-driven snow sublimation in the mega-dunes compared to the surrounding plateau. The snow isotopic composition is in negative correlation with the snow accumulation. Analyzing dxs/δD and 17O-excess/δD slopes, we conclude that the spatial variability of the snow isotopic composition in the mega-dune area could be explained by post-depositional snow modifications. Using the GPR data, we estimated the apparent dune drift velocity (4.6 ± 1.1 m yr−1). The full cycle of the dune drift is thus about 410 years. Since the spatial anomalies of snow accumulation and isotopic composition are supposed to drift with the dune, an ice core drilled in the mega-dune area would exhibit the non-climatic 410 year cycle of these two parameters. We simulated a vertical profile of snow isotopic composition with such a non-climatic variability, using the data on the dune size and velocity. This artificial profile is then compared with the real vertical profile of snow isotopic composition obtained from a core drilled in the mega-dune area. We note that the two profiles are very similar. The obtained results are discussed in terms of interpretation of data obtained from ice cores drilled beyond the mega-dune areas.
“If It Is Written by Allah, There Is Nothing That Can Stop It”: Saudi women’s breast cancer narratives
Authors: Sinky T. H. , Cheyney M. , Dolcini M. M.
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this study was to identify cultural models of breast cancer held by Saudi women and to explore how these may influence early detection and treatment-seeking behaviors. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with breast cancer survivors (n=20) from two Western cities in Saudi Arabia. Respondents were recruited through social networking, using purposive, snowball sampling. Illness narratives elicited during interviews were transcribed, coded and then analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results suggest that fatalism, perceived threats to traditional role fulfillment, and a preference for traditional therapies commonly mark the breast cancer experiences of Saudi women, influencing their early detection and treatment-seeking behaviors. A more nuanced understanding of emic viewpoints could help to improve public health messaging and intervention strategies in Saudi Arabia.
Cross-Cultural Understanding of Health Assessments for People with Intellectual Disability: An Australian resource in the Philippines
Authors: Brolan C. E. , Gomez M. T. , Lennox N. G. , Ware R. S
Published: December 2015

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has resulted in the involvement of high income countries in international development assistance to people with disabilities in low and middle income countries.  Healthcare tools designed in high income countries and delivered in low and middle income countries may not be appropriate to the context of the lives of people with disabilities.  We undertook a short qualitative study of participants’ views of an Australian-designed comprehensive health assessment tool, with participation from a WHO-Collaborating non-government organisation in regional Philippines. We also examined the participants’ perceptions of the barriers to healthcare for Filipinos with intellectual disabilities.  Responses to the comprehensive health assessment tool were positive although participants agreed that both linguistic and cultural translation would enhance wider use of the tool. The barriers identified included poverty, family isolation, stigma and communication issues as preventing appropriate healthcare delivery to Filipinos with intellectual disability. Consideration must be given to the complexities of transference of healthcare resources to a low and middle income country context, as well as the systemic and cultural barriers to appropriate healthcare provision to people with disabilities.