bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contributing factors to the failure of an unusually large landslide triggered by the 2014 Ludian, Yunnan, China, Ms  =  6.5 earthquake
Authors: Chang Z. F. , Chen X. L. , An X. W. , Cui J. W.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The 3 August 2014 Ludian, China, Ms  =  6.5 earthquake caused many large landslides. The biggest occurred at Hongshiyan near the epicenter, had a volume of 1.0  ×  107 m3 and dammed the Niulanjiang River, creating a large lake. Post-event field investigations yielded detailed data on the following aspects: rock structure of the landslide, the local lithology and geometry of the area around the landslide dam and composition and grain sizes of the debris avalanche. Based on these data, this work analyzes the geology and topography of the Hongshiyan area, and explores reasons for the occurrence of an unusually large landslide at this location. Our analysis suggests the following conditions are responsible for this catastrophic event. (1) Due to recent crustal deformation, intense incision on the river increased topographic relief with steep slopes and scarps. (2) Combined structures, including unloading fissures, high-angle joints and low-angle beds along the river, as well as an upper-strong and lower-weak interlayer structure on the slope, especially the existence of weak layers in the slope, are important factors that contribute to this large failure. (3) Hongshiyan lies near an active fault, where intense crustal deformation has resulted in rock fractures and weathering, and frequent earthquakes may progressively reduce the strength of the slope. (4) During the Ms  =  6.5 earthquake, the terrain and site conditions led to abnormally strong ground shaking. The combined impacts of these factors triggered a very large landslide during a moderate-sized earthquake.
Compound extremes in a changing climate – a Markov Chain approach
Authors: Sedlmeier Katrin , Mieruch Sebastian , Schädler Gerd , Kottmeier Christoph
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Studies using climate models and observed trends indicate that extreme weather has changed and may continue to change in the future. The potential impact of extreme events such as heat waves or droughts does not only depend on their number of occurrence but also on "how the extremes occur", i.e. the interplay and succession of the events. These quantities are quite unexplored, for past changes as well as for future changes and call for sophisticated methods of analysis. To address this issue, we use Markov chains for the analysis of the dynamics and succession of multivariate or compound extreme events. We apply the method to observational data (1951–2010) and an ensemble of regional climate simulations for Central Europe (1971–2000, 2021–2050) for two type of compound extremes, heavy precipitation and cold in winter and hot and dry days in summer. We identify three regions in Europe, which are probably susceptible to a future change in the succession or dynamics of heavy precipitation and cold in winter, which are a region south western France, northern Germany and in Russia around Moscow. The change in the succession of hot and dry days in summer will probably affect regions in Spain and Bulgaria. The susceptibility to a dynamic change of hot and dry extremes in the Russian region will probably decrease.
The Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project: inferring the environmental context of human evolution from eastern African rift lake deposits
Authors: Cohen A. , Campisano C. , Arrowsmith R. , Asrat A. , Behrensmeyer A. K. , Deino A. , Feibel C. , Hill A. , Johnson R. , Kingston J. , Lamb H. , Lowenstein T. , Noren A. , Olago D. , Owen R. B. , Potts R. , Reed K. , Renaut R. , Schäbitz F. , Tiercelin J.-J. , Trauth M. H. , Wynn J. , Ivory S. , Brady K. , O'Grady R. , Rodysill J. , Githiri J. , Russell J. , Foerster V. , Dommain R. , Rucina S. , Deocampo D. , Russell J. , Billingsley A. , Beck C. , Dorenbeck G. , Dullo L. , Feary D. , Garello D. , Gromig R. , Johnson T. , Junginger A. , Karanja M. , Kimburi E. , Mbuthia A. , McCartney T. , McNulty E. , Muiruri V. , Nambiro E. , Negash E. W. , Njagi D. , Wilson J. N. , Rabideaux N. , Raub T. , Sier M. J. , Smith P. , Urban J. , Warren M. , Yadeta M. , Yost C. , Zinaye B.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The role that climate and environmental history may have played in influencing human evolution has been the focus of considerable interest and controversy among paleoanthropologists for decades. Prior attempts to understand the environmental history side of this equation have centered around the study of outcrop sediments and fossils adjacent to where fossil hominins (ancestors or close relatives of modern humans) are found, or from the study of deep sea drill cores. However, outcrop sediments are often highly weathered and thus are unsuitable for some types of paleoclimatic records, and deep sea core records come from long distances away from the actual fossil and stone tool remains. The Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project (HSPDP) was developed to address these issues. The project has focused its efforts on the eastern African Rift Valley, where much of the evidence for early hominins has been recovered. We have collected about 2 km of sediment drill core from six basins in Kenya and Ethiopia, in lake deposits immediately adjacent to important fossil hominin and archaeological sites. Collectively these cores cover in time many of the key transitions and critical intervals in human evolutionary history over the last 4 Ma, such as the earliest stone tools, the origin of our own genus Homo, and the earliest anatomically modern Homo sapiens. Here we document the initial field, physical property, and core description results of the 2012–2014 HSPDP coring campaign.
Frozen Section Analysis of Unusual Small Testicular Tumor Masses: Report of 3 Cases
Authors: Giunchi Francesca , Vasuri Francesco , Colecchia Maurizio , Gentile Giorgio , Garofalo Marco , Schiavina Riccardo , Fiorentino Michelangelo
Published: February 2016

Purpose

Nonpalpable tumors of the testis are generally incidental findings on ultrasound examination. Most of these tumors are benign but some turn out to be germinal tumors at histology. Therefore, intraoperative histopathologic analysis of nonpalpable testicular lesions is pivotal for guiding a testis-sparing surgical approach.

Methods

We report clinical and pathologic characteristics of 3 small nodules of the testis with challenging histologic features at intraoperative frozen section examination and peculiar histology. One was a known testicular mass, undertreated for 5 years, whose enlargement worried the patient, while the other 2 were incidental findings during clinical testicular examination for non-neoplastic diseases.

Conclusions

The 3 cases reported are characterized by small size, which limited the accuracy of preoperative ultrasound diagnosis. Intraoperative frozen section examination was able to rule out a diagnosis of germ cell malignancy in all cases, but diagnosis was conclusive only at histology. Knowledge of unexpected rare testicular lesions is of great relevance at the time of frozen section examination in view of conservative surgical strategy.
“[T]o bind together in mutual helpfulness”: Genre and/as Social Action in the Victorian Antivivisection Press
Authors: Hamilton Susan
Published: February 2016

This article examines how the monthly journals The Zoophilist and the Home Chronicler contributed to the antivivisectionist movement in the late 1800s. Each displays distinct approaches to the serial forms of publication, carefully positioning readers of antivivisection materials to do things differently in relation to the world of advocacy, their feelings about the animals at the center of the movement, and the possibilities for and conception of intervention.
The Myth of Penal Populism: Democracy, Citizen Participation, and American Hyperincarceration
Authors: Dzur Albert W.
Published: February 2016

But the action of the common people is always either too remiss or too violent. Sometimes with a hundred thousand arms they overturn all before them; and sometimes with a hundred thousand feet they creep like insects.

—Montesquieu
Investigating coastal geomorphological response to the passage of Hurricane Dean 2007 in the Southern Caribbean: Cocos Bay, Trinidad
Authors: Darsan Junior
Published: February 2016

<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" lang="EN-US">Hurricanes form part of the annual weather phenomenon for many Caribbean territories during the months of June to November. Trinidad and Tobago lies south of the main hurricane belt and direct hits from these events are seldom, although, their associated effects from swell waves and spiral bands are experienced. This paper investigates the passage of Hurricane Dean on 17th August 2007, and its associated effects on the beach profiles and sediment of Cocos Bay. While this hurricane did not make landfall, the effects on the coastal system are due to the storm generated swells which travelled outwards from the storm centre toward the east coast of Trinidad. Data was collected from 2005 to 2007 and included littoral processes, beach profiles and sediment data using standard geomorphological techniques. The beach's response to the event varied spatially along the bay. While beach erosion is typical at other Caribbean beaches during the passage of these extreme weather systems, at Cocos Bay, some areas accreted while others eroded. Results indicate that the beach's response to this high energy event is dependent on the state of the beach prior to the event. Morphological change seem to be fuelled by bar formation and migration which is enhanced by the passage of a high energy event. A proper understanding of the effects of high energy events on low-latitude tropical beach systems exposed to the Atlantic is invaluable towards informing proper management in a region forecasted to have increased and enhanced Tropical Cyclonic activity due to global warming.
Climate-Driven Landformof the Ejina Basin (NW China) in Central Asia and Its Paleoenvironmental Implications
Authors: Zhu Bingqi
Published: February 2016

Though neotectonic activity is believed to be the major factor in the evolution of the topography of the Ejina Basin in Central Asia, detailed documentation and analysis of climatic landscape features and their environmental implications are lacking. The present study is a site-specific documentation of landforms developed in the wide part of the Ejina Basin, with the aim to identify the climatic landforms based on the method of climatic geomorphology and to evaluate its landscape evolution and response to palaeoclimate changes. The morphodynamics of older landscapes are recognized by making comparison with the present climate and its corresponding landscapes. Clear evidences testifying the basin-scale shifting and transformation of different morphoclimatic zones in the basin are observed, which prove that the main geomorphic unit is changed from an alluvial-lacustrine plain to a desert plain. The coexistence of diverse landscapes and the consequent geomorphodiversity in the basin should be a compound result of surficial processes other than glaciations. The climate and hydrological conditions of the basin during the last glaciation and during the Early Holocene were much better than at present, possibly having an average annual precipitation ranged between 60~350 mm on  the basin during ca. 39-23 ka BP but great fluctuations during Holocene. The periods of lower aridity during the late Pleistocene in the bain could be induced by an increase of the westerlies and a weakening of the Asian winter monsoon on the arid areas of the central Asia.
PER UN NUOVO CONCETTO DI GIURISDIZIONE
Authors: Cabral Antônio Do Passo
Published: February 2016

La giurisdizione, nelle parole di Nicola Picardi, è la “vocazione del nostro tempo”. L’evoluzione dello Stato di Diritto ha fatto sì che, nella vita in società, questioni importanti vengano definite dal giudiziario. In questa linea di pensiero assume un ruolo rilevante la ricerca di un concetto di giurisdizione attuale.

Sebbene quel che si intende per giurisdizione sia in gran misura cambiato nel corso degli anni, il tema poggia su premesse che non riescono più a rispondere alle aspirazioni delle comunità umane, né riflettono la gamma multi faccettata di funzioni che gli organi giudiziari sono sollecitati ad esercitare nello Stato di Diritto contemporaneo.
O CONCEITO DE CONSUMIDOR NA JURSIPRUDÊNCIA DO STJ: CRÔNICA DE UMA JORNADA INACABADA
Authors: Pasqualotto Adalberto De Souza , Carvalho Volgane Oliveira
Published: February 2016

O direito do consumidor no Brasil surgiu no bojo da Constituição de 1988 e desenvolveu-se com a entrada em vigor do CDC, em 1991. Assim, a construção dos conceitos básicos da disciplina é um processo que ainda não conheceu seu epílogo. Continuam em formação, por exemplo, conceitos importantes como “destinatário final”, “consumidor intermediário” e, por conseguinte, também o de  “consumidor”. Nos últimos anos, a jurisprudência do Superior Tribunal de Justiça apresentou variações, passando por três fases. Em uma primeira etapa, filiou-se à teoria maximalista, que admitia a possibilidade de pessoas jurídicas que explorassem atividades econômicas serem reconhecidas como destinatário final de um produto ou serviço. Uma segunda fase, mais identificada com a teoria finalista, limitou o conceito de destinatário final, mas criou a ideia de consumidor intermediário. Por fim, o Tribunal aderiu à teoria finalista aprofundada, que reconhece como destinatário final pessoas jurídicas exploradoras de atividade econômica que estejam em situação de vulnerabilidade frente ao fornecedor do produto ou serviço. O presente trabalho pretende analisar o comportamento jurisprudencial do STJ nos últimos anos com relação à fixação do conceito de consumidor, verificar se há distinção verdadeira entre as teorias apresentadas e determinar se as alterações na composição da corte exerceram influência significativa sobre as decisões acerca do tema. 
Can We Really Count on Frank?
Authors: Marston Jennifer L. , Muir Tracey , Livy Sharyn
Published: February 2016

Use this new framework to select and analyze picture books for their mathematical content, such as the accuracy of the number of cans that stack in a shopping cart.
Hypothes.is – Nyt plug-in i OJS
Authors: Frederiksen Niels Erik
Published: February 2016

Nyt annoteringsprogram med mange mulighder
The role of partners’ educational attainment in the association between HIV and education amongst women in seven sub‐Saharan African countries
Authors: Harling Guy , Bärnighausen Till
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Individuals’ educational attainment has long been considered as a risk factor for HIV. However, little attention has been paid to the association between partner educational attainment and HIV infection.

Methods

We conducted cross‐sectional analysis of young women (aged 15–34) in 14 Demographic and Health Surveys from seven sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) countries with generalized HIV epidemics. We measured the degree of similarity in educational attainment (partner homophily) in 75,373 partnerships and evaluated the correlation between homophily and female HIV prevalence at the survey cluster level. We then used logistic regression to assess whether own and partner educational attainment was associated with HIV serostatus amongst 38,791 women.

Results

Educational attainment was positively correlated within partnerships in both urban and rural areas of every survey (Newman assortativity coefficients between 0.09 and 0.44), but this correlation was not ecologically associated with HIV prevalence. At the individual level, larger absolute differences between own and partner educational attainment were associated with significantly higher HIV prevalence amongst women. This association was heterogeneous across countries, but not between survey waves. In contrast to other women, for those aged 25–34 who had secondary or higher education, a more‐educated partner was associated with lower HIV prevalence.

Conclusions

HIV prevalence amongst women in SSA is associated not only with one's own education but also with that of one's partner. These findings highlight the importance of understanding how partners place individuals at risk of infection and suggest that HIV prevention efforts may benefit from considering partner characteristics.
Eccrine Syringofibroadenoma of the Heel
Authors: Doobay Nathalia , Mallette Jason
Published: February 2016

Eccrine syringofibroadenoma is a rare, benign tumor of eccrine ductal differentiation, typically presenting in the extremities. Herein we report a case of a 77-year-old man with pain in the lateral midfoot and the presence of an eccrine syringofibroadenoma lesion in the lateral heel. On surgical excision of the lesion, the foot pain promptly resolved, and at the most recent follow-up visit, the patient remained pain free.
Effects of erbium doping of indium tin oxide electrode in resistive random access memory
Authors: Chen Po-Hsun , Chang Kuan-Chang , Chang Ting-Chang , Tsai Tsung-Ming , Pan Chih-Hung , Lin Chih-Yang , Jin Fu-Yuan , Chen Min-Chen , Huang Hui-Chun , Lo Ikai , Zheng Jin-Cheng , Sze Simon M.
Published: February 2016

Identical insulators and bottom electrodes were fabricated and capped by an indium tin oxide (ITO) film, either undoped or doped with erbium (Er), as a top electrode. This distinctive top electrode dramatically altered the resistive random access memory (RRAM) characteristics, for example, lowering the operation current and enlarging the memory window. In addition, the RESET voltage increased, whereas the SET voltage remained almost the same. A conduction model of Er-doped ITO is proposed through current–voltage (I–V) measurement and current fitting to explain the resistance switching mechanism of Er-doped ITO RRAM and is confirmed by material analysis and reliability tests.
Ab initio study of carrier mobility of few-layer InSe
Authors: Sun Chong , Xiang Hui , Xu Bo , Xia Yidong , Yin Jiang , Liu Zhiguo
Published: February 2016

On the basis of the density functional theory coupled with the Boltzmann transport equation with relaxation time approximation, we investigate the electronic structure and predict the electron mobility of few-layer InSe. Few-layer InSe has a tunable band gap on thickness. At the same time, it possesses a high carrier mobility on the order of 103 cm2 V−1 s−1. As we demonstrated, few-layer InSe has potential applications for next-generation electronic materials owing to its considerable band gap and high carrier mobility.
Study of enhanced photovoltaic behavior in InGaN-based solar cells by using SiNx insertion layer: Influence of dislocations
Authors: Lee Seunga , Honda Yoshio , Amano Hiroshi , Jang Jongjin , Nam Okhyun
Published: February 2016

Using a SiN
x
insertion layer to reduce dislocations, enhanced photovoltaic properties could be obtained in p–i–n InGaN/GaN heterojunction solar cell. To investigate the influence of the dislocations on the photovoltaic behaviors, a sample grown without SiN
x
insertion layer was identically prepared for comparison. From optical properties measurements, the reduction in the number of non-radiative centers and a stronger In localization effect was shown in the sample with SiN
x
insertion layer. However, the quantum confined stark effect was almost negligible in both the samples. Electrical properties measurement showed reduced saturation current and increased shunt resistance in the sample with SiN
x
insertion layer due to the reduced dislocation density. By comparing these results and using a numerical model, the influence of the dislocation density on the different photovoltaic properties such as open-circuit voltage and fill factor has been confirmed.
Ultrafast photoexcited dynamics probe of blends of conjugated polymerpoly{bi(dodecyl)thiophene-thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione} and fullerenes for photovoltaic applications with broadband sub-10-fs visible pulse
Authors: Kao Chih-Hsien , Yabushita Atsushi , Su Yu-Wei , Wei Kung-Hwa , Lee Yu-Hsien , Kobayashi Takayoshi
Published: February 2016

Conjugated polymers have been widely studied as active materials for organic solar cells, which are a promising replacement for silicon solar cells. A novel electron donor polymer of poly{bi(dodecyl)thiophene-thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione} (PBTTPD) blended with an electron acceptor, [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM), gave a device power conversion efficiency as high as 7.3%. In the present work, we performed time-resolved absorption change spectroscopy at various mixture ratios of PC71BM in the PBTTPD/PC71BM blend. Among the obtained time constants, the shortest (60 fs) and the longest (500 fs and 15 ps) were assigned to the production and relaxation of charge-transfer (CT) states, respectively. The PC71BM blended with PBTTPD was found to suppress interchain carrier transport and increase intrachain carrier transport. The prolonged lifetime of the CT state in the equally blended PBTTPD/PC71BM film increases the probability of charge separation and thus increases the power conversion efficiency of the device.
Mössbauer study of electrochemically deposited amorphous iron-sulfide-oxide thin films
Authors: Ichimura Masaya , Kajima Takahiro , Kawai Shoichi , Mibu Ko
Published: February 2016

Iron-sulfide-oxide thin films, which are promising candidates for solar cell materials, were deposited by electrochemical deposition. As-deposited and annealed films were characterized by Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman scattering at room temperature. The as-deposited film is amorphous, and the oxygen content is about 1/4 of the sulfur content (S/Fe ≈ 1.5, O/Fe ≈ 0.4). The Mössbauer spectrum for the as-deposited film is a doublet with a broad line profile having hyperfine parameters similar to those of FeS2 pyrite or marcasite. This indicates that Fe atoms are in the Fe2+ low-spin state, as in FeS2.
The structure and diversity of freshwater diatom assemblages from Franz Josef Land Archipelago: a northern outpost for freshwater diatoms
Authors: Pla-Rabés Sergi , Hamilton Paul B. , Ballesteros Enric , Gavrilo Maria , Friedlander Alan M. , Sala Enric
Published: February 2016

We examined diatom assemblages from 18 stream and pond samples in the Franz Josef Land Archipelago (FJL), the most northern land of Eurasia. More than 216 taxa were observed, revealing a rich circumpolar diatom flora, including many undescribed taxa. Widely distributed taxa were the most abundant by cell densities, while circumpolar taxa were the most species rich. Stream and pond habitats hosted different assemblages, and varied along a pH gradient.Diatoma tenuiswas the most abundant and ubiquitous taxon. However, several circumpolar taxa such asChamaepinnularia gandrupii, Cymbella botellus, Psammothidiumsp. andHumidophila laevissimawere also found in relatively high abundances. Aerophilic taxa were an important component of FJL diatom assemblages (Humidophilaspp.,Caloneisspp. andPinnulariaspp.), reflecting the large and extreme seasonal changes in Arctic conditions. We predict a decrease in the abundance of circumpolar taxa, an increase in local (α-) freshwater diatom diversity, but a decrease in regional diversity (circumpolar homogenization) as a result of current warming trends and to a lesser extent the increasing human footprint in the region.
A statistical study of whistler waves observed by Van Allen Probes (RBSP) and lightning detected by WWLLN
Authors: Zheng Hao , Holzworth Robert H. , Brundell James B. , Jacobson Abram R. , Wygant John R. , Hospodarsky George B. , Mozer Forrest S. , Bonnell John
Published: February 2016

Lightning‐generated whistler waves are electromagnetic plasma waves in the very low frequency (VLF) band, which play an important role in the dynamics of radiation belt particles. In this paper, we statistically analyze simultaneous waveform data from the Van Allen Probes (Radiation Belt Storm Probes, RBSP) and global lightning data from the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN). Data were obtained between July to September 2013 and between March and April 2014. For each day during these periods, we predicted the most probable 10 min for which each of the two RBSP satellites would be magnetically conjugate to lightning producing regions. The prediction method uses integrated WWLLN stroke data for that day obtained during the three previous years. Using these predicted times for magnetic conjugacy to lightning activity regions, we recorded high time resolution, burst mode waveform data. Here we show that whistlers are observed by the satellites in more than 80% of downloaded waveform data. About 22.9% of the whistlers observed by RBSP are one‐to‐one coincident with source lightning strokes detected by WWLLN. About 40.1% more of whistlers are found to be one‐to‐one coincident with lightning if source regions are extended out 2000 km from the satellites footpoints. Lightning strokes with far‐field radiated VLF energy larger than about 100 J are able to generate a detectable whistler wave in the inner magnetosphere. One‐to‐one coincidences between whistlers observed by RBSP and lightning strokes detected by WWLLN are clearly shown in the L shell range of L = 1–3. Nose whistlers observed in July 2014 show that it may be possible to extend this coincidence to the region of L≥4.
Elevated gas flux and trace metal degassing from the 2014–2015 fissure eruption at the Bárðarbunga volcanic system, Iceland
Authors: Gauthier Pierre‐Jean , Sigmarsson Olgeir , Gouhier Mathieu , Haddadi Baptiste , Moune Séverine
Published: February 2016

The 2014 Bárðarbunga rifting event in Iceland resulted in a 6‐month long eruption at Holuhraun. This eruption was characterized by high lava discharge rate and significant gas emission. The SO2 flux for the first 3 months was measured with satellite sensors and the petrologic method. High‐resolution time series of the satellite data give 1200 kg/s that concurs with 1050 kg/s obtained from melt inclusion minus degassed lava sulfur contents scaled to the mass of magma produced. A high‐purity gas sample, with elevated S/Cl due to limited chlorine degassing, reveals a similar degassing pattern of trace metals as observed at Kīlauea (Hawai'i) and Erta Ale (Ethiopia). This suggests a common degassing mechanism at mantle plume‐related volcanoes. The trace metal fluxes, calculated from trace element to sulfur ratios in the gas sample and scaled to the sulfur dioxide flux, are 1–2 orders of magnitude stronger at Holuhraun than Kīlauea and Erta Ale. In contrast, volcanoes at convergent margins (Etna and Stromboli, Italy) have 1–2 orders of magnitude higher trace element fluxes, most likely caused by abundant chlorine degassing. This emphasizes the importance of metal degassing as chlorine species. Short‐lived disequilibria between radon daughters, 210Pb‐210Bi‐210Po measured in the gas, suggest degassing of a continuously replenished magma batch beneath the eruption site. Earlier and deep degassing phase of carbon dioxide and polonium is inferred from low (210Po/210Pb) in the gas, consistent with magma transfer rate of 0.75 m/s.
Enhanced MJO and transition to superrotation in warm climates
Authors: Carlson Henrik , Caballero Rodrigo
Published: February 2016

Using the NCAR CAM3 model in aquaplanet configuration, we perform a suite of simulations spanning a broad range of warm climates. The simulations show a spontaneous transition to superrotation, i.e., westerly winds at upper levels above the equator. The momentum convergence leading to superrotation is driven by eastward‐propagating equatorial waves with structure similar to the modern Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO), whose amplitude increases strongly with temperature. We analyze the moist static energy (MSE) budget of the model's MJO to identify mechanisms leading to its enhanced amplitude. Two such mechanisms are identified: a rapid increase of mean low‐level MSE with rising temperature, as found in previous work, and reduced damping of the MJO by synoptic‐scale eddies. Both effects imply a reduced gross moist stability and enhanced MJO amplitude. The reduced eddy damping is caused by the transition to superrotation, which allows a greater penetration of extratropical eddies into the equatorial zone; the dominant effect of this greater penetration is to flatten the meridional gradient zonal‐mean MSE, which effectively impedes the generation of anomalous MSE divergence by MJO‐modulated eddies. This mechanism implies a positive feedback between superrotation and the MJO which may hasten the transition into a strongly superrotating state.
Estimation of mesopause temperatures at low latitudes using the Kunming meteor radar
Authors: Yi Wen , Xue Xianghui , Chen Jinsong , Dou Xiankang , Chen Tingdi , Li Na
Published: February 2016

In this study, mesopause temperatures over a low‐latitude station were derived by applying the temperature gradient model technique to data from a meteor radar installation located in Kunming (25.6°N, 103.8°E), China. The estimated temperatures are in good agreement with Sounding of the Atmosphere by Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) temperatures and exhibit clear seasonal and interannual variations with dominant spectral peaks at annual, semiannual, quasi 90 day, and terannual oscillations. However, the amplitudes of the temperature fluctuations and the dominant spectral peaks are larger than those from SABER. An improved method that accounts for the temperature sensitivity of the slope estimated from the meteor radar data was developed to calibrate the larger fluctuations obtained using the temperature gradient model technique. The resulting calibrated temperatures are more consistent with SABER observations, and the accuracy of the derived temperatures is significantly improved.
Impact of scale/resolution on evapotranspiration from Landsat and MODIS images
Authors: Sharma Vivek , Kilic Ayse , Irmak Suat
Published: February 2016

Understanding the role of landscape heterogeneity and its influence on the scaling behavior of surface fluxes as observed by satellite sensors with different spatial resolutions is a critical need to investigate. In this study, the effects of pixel scales on ETc estimation and other parameters that are used to calculate ETc were investigated over different vegetation surfaces in south central Nebraska, USA. Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) was used to estimate spatially distributed ETc by combining ground‐based meteorological data for Landsat and MODIS imagery. The estimated surface energy fluxes were compared and validated to the measured Bowen Ratio Energy Balance System (BREBS) ETc fluxes. Validation results showed that Landsat has more preferable spatial resolution (30 m) to map and analyze ETc; regression models explained 91% of the variability in the observed data (RMSD = 0.064 mm/h; MBE = 0.04 mm/h). However, for MODIS‐based ETc, the regression model explained only 59% of the variability in observed ETc with a larger error (RMSD = 0.17 mm/h; MBE = 0.15 mm/h). MODIS‐based ETc was about 31% higher than the measured ETc. Imperfect assessment in MODIS‐based retrievals is due to the underlying assumption of spatial heterogeneity and coarser sensor pixel scale (500 m), which was summarized by up‐scaling the Landsat images to MODIS images using output flux aggregation and input up‐scaling procedure using simple average and nearest neighbor aggregation techniques and comparisons were made on both image and pixel scales. Aggregation results illustrate that simple average with output flux aggregation provides close interpretation in aggregating fluxes to coarser resolution than other aggregation approaches. Pixel‐by‐pixel comparison using output aggregation with simple average resulted in close agreement (error range 5%–35%) between measured and up‐scaled fluxes, compared to input up‐scaling using simple average (error range 25%–60%). Larger error in input up‐scaling is due to the changes in the surface roughness parameters due to aggregation in SEBS model. In addition, the magnitude of errors in ETc estimation was observed to be a function of the heterogeneity of the land surface and evaporative elements over the study region. Comparison between up‐scaled ETc at 480 m spatial resolution with original MODIS image at 500 m showed that the output aggregation using simple average aggregation method provided closer representation of ETc at 500 m MODIS pixel resolution than the nearest neighbor resampling method.
Market Design in the Smart Grid
Authors: Greve Thomas
Published: February 2016

A successful market depends on the design and the mechanism used. However, first it needs to be asked – what is the market? How does it work? How does it fail? How can it be fixed when it is broken? One can pose the same questions in the area of electricity and smart grids. The goal is efficient trade. Efficient pricing and allocation are the ingredients necessary to achieve this goal. The right market design can answer the questions and can ensure the desired outcome. This chapter examines the possible transformation of design. It starts with an analysis of the market designs in use today, current changes in designs as a result of smart grids, and a potential market design for the future. Auctions are and have been the main market design mechanism in use. The focus therefore is on the necessary framework for using auctions. Further, it shows that the trend is moving away from the wholesale market toward the retail market to include active consumers with “smart” behavior. It suggests that there will be a move away from the use of capacity and energy markets and back toward an “energy‐only” market. These will have significant impacts on future electricity market design. Finally, this chapter presents a solution that could incorporate these future changes.
Impact on Electricity Markets
Authors: Green Richard , Webb Robert
Published: February 2016

This chapter seeks to explore the benefits and implications of the smart grid for electricity markets. The greater use of
ICT
(information and communication technologies) should allow consumers to receive more detailed and timely price signals, leading to more flexibility in the interaction between demand and supply. We review relevant literature and simulate the benefits of real‐time pricing in Great Britain, in the near future and in a mid‐century scenario with a large amount of electric heating and vehicle charging. The cost of providing energy could fall by around 10% if battery charging moves away from peak times and all consumers can respond to real‐time prices. There could be further savings in the provision of ancillary services if more consumers offer fast demand response as an alternative to keeping power stations part‐loaded for reserve. Dynamic pricing could solve the so‐called missing money problem of inadequate peak prices and allow energy‐only markets to fully reward‐generating capacity. New companies may be able to enter the industry with new business models, but we should be aware that the smart grid may create losers as well as winners and that the prospect of many small gains may not be enough to enthuse consumers.
Bottom hole pressure estimation and adaptive control in managed pressure drilling system
Authors: Li Zhiyuan , Hovakimyan Naira , Kaasa Glenn‐Ole
Published: February 2016

In the past decade, managed pressure drilling, a technology aiming at precise well pressure control, has been gaining increasing popularity and been a key enabler for some of the most challenging well drilling cases such as the offshore deep water well drilling. This paper attempts to solve two of the main challenges involved in the managed pressure drilling systems: first, the bottom‐hole states measurements are updated at a low rate, which can be practically viewed as unmeasured and thus need to be estimated in real time for both monitoring and control purposes and second, the drilling process is subject to uncertainties including unknown system parameters (e.g., frictions and densities), unmodeled actuator dynamics, and noise, which require a robust adaptive controller for control of the bottom‐hole pressure. Towards this objective, an integrated estimator and
adaptive control scheme is proposed. The estimator provides estimation of the bottom‐hole pressure and flow rate, based on the available measurements from the topside. The
adaptive controller drives the bottom‐hole pressure to the desired value following a reference model, which also handles the time delays in the input signal. The design is based on a recently developed nonlinear drilling model. The results demonstrate that the
adaptive controller has guaranteed performance bounds for both the input and the output signals of the system while using the estimation of the regulated outputs. Simulation results covering different operational conditions verify the theoretical findings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multifunctional Magnetic Particles for Combined Circulating Tumor Cells Isolation and Cellular Metabolism Detection
Authors: Wu Jiao , Wei Xiang , Gan Jinrui , Huang Lin , Shen Ting , Lou Jiatao , Liu Baohong , Zhang John X. J. , Qian Kun
Published: February 2016

For the first time, multifunctional magnetic particles based rare cell isolation is demonstrated combined with the downstream laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI‐MS) to measure the metabolism of enriched circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The characterization of CTCs metabolism plays a significant role in understanding the tumor microenvironment, through exploring the diverse cellular process. However, characterizing cell metabolism is still challenging due to the low detection sensitivity, high sample complexity, and tedious preparation procedures, particularly for rare cells analysis in clinical study. Here, ferric oxide magnetic particles are conjugated with anti‐epithelial cell adhesion molecule on the surface for specific, efficient enrichment of CTCs from phosphate buffered saline and whole blood with cells concentration of 6–100 cells per mL. Moreover, these hydrophilic particles as matrix enable sensitive and selective LDI‐MS detection of small metabolites (M
w < 500 Da) in complex biomixtures and can be further coupled with isotopic quantification to monitor selected molecules metabolism of ≈50 CTCs. This unique approach couples the immunomagnetic separation of CTCs and LDI‐MS based metabolic analysis, which represents a key step forward for downstream metabolites analysis of rare cells to investigate the biological features of CTCs and their cellular responses in both pathological and physiological phenomena.
Triboelectric Nanogenerators Based on Melamine and Self‐Powered High‐Sensitive Sensors for Melamine Detection
Authors: Zhu Huarui , Wang Ning , Xu Ying , Chen Shuwen , Willander Magnus , Cao Xia , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: February 2016

Melamine (Mel) is added illegally to foods and feeds due to its high nitrogen content and high intake, and it causes serious health problems, so it is urgent to build a simple and quick method for detecting Mel in our daily life. In this work, a self‐powered Mel detection method is developed that is based on the newly invented triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) by using the strong electronegativity property of Mel. In addition, Mel can enhance the electrical output signals of the TENGs by pairing with other triboelectric materials. Thus a high‐sensitive Mel sensor is designed based on polytetrafluoethylene (PTFE) TENG; the output current of TENG increases with the addition of Mel, resulting in largely improved detection limit of Mel with 0.5 ppb and a linear increase range from 1 to 500 ppb. This study not only develops a new type of material for TENG, but also demonstrates an innovative and convenient method for the detection of Mel and other biomaterials.
Remarkable Improvements in Volumetric Energy and Power of 3D MnO2 Microsupercapacitors by Tuning Crystallographic Structures
Authors: Li Ying‐Qi , Shi Xiang‐Mei , Lang Xing‐You , Wen Zi , Li Jian‐Chen , Jiang Qing
Published: February 2016

Transition‐metal oxides as faradaic charge‐storage intermediates sandwiched between conductor and electrolyte are key components to store/deliver high‐density energy in microsupercapacitors for many applications in miniaturized portable electronics and microelectromechanical systems. While the conductor facilitating their electron transports, they generally suffer from a switch of rate‐determining step to their sluggish redox reactions in pseudocapacitive energy storage, during which poor cation accessibility and diffusion leads to high internal resistances and lowers volumetric capacitance and rate performance. Here it is shown that the faradaic processes in a model system of MnO2 can be radically boosted by tuning crystallographic structures from cryptomelane (α‐MnO2) to birnessite (δ‐MnO2). As a result of greatly enhanced Na+ accessibility and diffusion, 3D layered crystalline δ‐MnO2 microelectrodes exhibit volumetric capacitance as high as ≈922 F cm−3 (≈1.5‐fold higher than α‐MnO2, ≈617 F cm−3) and excellent rate performance. This enlists δ‐MnO2 microsupercapacitor to deliver ultrahigh stack electrical powers (up to ≈295 W cm−3) while maintaining volumetric energy density much higher than that of thin‐film lithium battery.
Multiphase Biomineralization: Enigmatic Invasive Siliceous Diatoms Produce Crystalline Calcite
Authors: Ehrlich Hermann , Motylenko Mykhailo , Sundareshwar Pallaoor V. , Ereskovsky Alexander , Zgłobicka Izabela , Noga Teresa , Płociński Tomasz , Tsurkan Mikhail V. , Wyroba Elżbieta , Suski Szymon , Bilski Henryk , Wysokowski Marcin , Stöcker Hartmut , Makarova Anna , Vyalikh Denis , Walter Juliane , Molodtsov Serguei L. , Bazhenov Vasilii V. , Petrenko Iaroslav , Langer Enrico , Richter Andreas , Niederschlag Elke , Pisarek Marcin , Springer Armin , Gelinsky Michael , Rafaja David , Witkowski Andrzej , Meyer Dirk C. , Jesionowski Teofil , Kurzydłowski Krzysztof J.
Published: February 2016

Diatoms are considered unicellular eukaryotic organisms exclusively depositing biogenic silica. Heretofore there has been no report of calcification by these algae. Here it is shown that calcium carbonate within the stalks ofDidymosphenia geminata, a nuisance species that has prolifically colonized streams and rivers globally, is biogenic in origin and occurs as a network of calcite nanofibers. The nanofibrous framework in the mineralized polysaccharide matrix imparts mechanical support to the stalks, providing stability in variable flow conditions. The results demonstrate thatD. geminatapossesses cellular and periplasmic carbonic‐anhydrases that contribute to carbon fixation and biomineralization, respectively. The activity of external carbonic‐anhydrase was more than 50% of the total activity, which points to its role in anchoring this bioeroding diatom on hard surfaces. The first evidence of multiphase biomineralization by diatoms that deposit both biogenic silica and crystalline biogenic calcite which are imparting distinct functional advantage to the organism is provided.
Well‐Defined Protein‐Based Supramolecular Nanoparticles with Excellent MRI Abilities for Multifunctional Delivery Systems
Authors: Yuan Huimin , Xu Chen , Zhao Yu , Yu Bingran , Cheng Gang , Xu Fu‐Jian
Published: February 2016

Protein‐based nanoparticles are widely used for effective biomedical applications. The objective of this work is to design series of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐visible cationic supramolecular nanoparticles (PGEA@BSA‐Ad/Gd3+) based on bovine serum albumin (BSA) and β‐cyclodextrin‐cored star ethanolamine‐functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (CD‐PGEA) in the presence of Gd3+ ions for multifunctional delivery systems. CD‐PGEA is prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization and ring‐opening reaction. It is found that in the absence of Gd3+ ions, CD‐PGEA does not well interact with adamantine‐modified BSA (BSA‐Ad). The well‐defined PGEA@BSA‐Ad/Gd3+ supramolecular nanoparticles could be produced through the synergistic actions of the host–guest and electrostatic self‐assemblies by mixing aqueous solutions of CD‐PGEA, BSA‐Ad, and Gd3+. In comparison with CD‐PGEA assembly units, such kinds of uniform PGEA@BSA‐Ad/Gd3+ supramolecular nanoparticles exhibit better pDNA condensation ability, lower cytotoxicity, higher gene transfection, and easier cellular uptake. In addition, PGEA@BSA‐Ad/Gd3+ also produces outstanding MRI abilities, much better than Magnevist (Gd‐diethylenetriaminepentacetate acid). The present design of protein–polymer supramolecular nanoparticles with MRI contrast agents would provide a new way for multifunctional gene/drug delivery systems.
A Patient‐Inspired Ex Vivo Liver Tissue Engineering Approach with Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hepatogenic Serum
Authors: Bishi Dillip K. , Mathapati Santosh , Venugopal Jayarama R. , Guhathakurta Soma , Cherian Kotturathu M. , Verma Rama S. , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: February 2016

Design and development of ex vivo bioengineered liver tissue substitutes intended for subsequent in vivo implantation has been considered therapeutically relevant to treat many liver diseases that require whole‐organ replacement on a long‐term basis. The present study focus on patient‐inspired ex vivo liver tissue engineering strategy to generate hepatocyte‐scaffold composite by combining bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) derived from cardiac failure patients with secondary hyperbilirubinemia as primers of hepatic differentiation and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)‐enriched sera from same individuals as hepatic inducer. A biodegradable and implantable electrospun fibrous mesh of poly‐l‐lactic acid (PLLA) and gelatin is used as supporting matrix (average fiber diameter = 285 ± 64 nm, porosity = 81 ± 4%, and average pore size = 1.65 ± 0.77 μm). The fibrous mesh supports adhesion, proliferation, and hepatic commitment of patient‐derived BMSCs of adequate stemness using HGF‐enriched sera generating metabolically competent hepatocyte‐like cells, which is comparable to the hepatic induction with defined recombinant growth factor cocktail. The observed results confirm the combinatorial effects of nanofiber topography and biochemical cues in guiding hepatic specification of BMSCs. The fibrous mesh‐hepatocyte construct developed in this study using natural growth factors and BMSCs of same individual is promising for future therapeutic applications in treating damaged livers.
Genetically Engineered Virus Nanofibers as an Efficient Vaccine for Preventing Fungal Infection
Authors: Huai Yanyan , Dong Shuai , Zhu Ye , Li Xin , Cao Binrui , Gao Xiang , Yang Mingying , Wang Li , Mao Chuanbin
Published: February 2016

Candida albicans (CA) is a kind of fungus that can cause high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. However, preventing CA infection in these patients is still a daunting challenge. Herein, inspired from the fact that immunization with secreted aspartyl proteinases 2 (Sap2) can prevent the infection, it is proposed to use filamentous phage, a human‐safe virus nanofiber specifically infecting bacteria (≈900 nm long and 7 nm wide), to display an epitope peptide of Sap2 (EPS, with a sequence of Val–Lys–Tyr–Thr–Ser) on its side wall and thus serve as a vaccine for preventing CA infection. The engineered virus nanofibers and recombinant Sap2 (rSap2) are then separately used to immunize mice. The humoral and cellular immune responses in the immunized mice are evaluated. Surprisingly, the virus nanofibers significantly induce mice to produce strong immune response as rSap2 and generate antibodies that can bind Sap2 and CA to inhibit the CA infection. Consequently, immunization with the virus nanofibers in mice dramatically increases the survival rate of CA‐infected mice. All these results, along with the fact that the virus nanofibers can be mass‐produced by infecting bacteria cost‐effectively, suggest that virus nanofibers displaying EPS can be a vaccine candidate against fungal infection.