bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ekologiniai statiniai ir jų plėtros raida
Authors: Keizikas Andrius , Parasonis Josifas
Published: December 2015

Straipsnyje gvildenama ekologinių statinių problematika. Tikslas – nagrinėjant pavyzdžius atskleisti ekologinės architektūros esmę, plėtros tęstinumą bei problemas, potencialą, skatinti tiek architektūros, tiek statybos inžinerijos raidą. Nagrinėjamos ekologinių statinių sąsajos su pasyvaus namo idėjomis, išryškinami jų panašumai ir skirtumai, svarstomos projektavimo koncepcijos, didinančios pastato energinį efektyvumą ir užtikrinančios ilgalaikį ir patogų naudojimą.
Kompleksinės daugiabučių gyvenamųjų namų rekonstrukcijos metodikos principai
Authors: Ruseckas Jonas
Published: December 2015

Straipsnyje nagrinėjamos kompleksinės daugiabučių gyvenamųjų namų rekonstrukcijos problemos. Analizuojamos pagrindinių sąvokų – renovacija, rekonstrukcija, kapitaliai renovuojamas pastatas – reikšmės. Išskiriami pagrindiniai kompleksinės rekonstrukcijos vykdymo ir vertinimo etapai. Aptariamos statinio statybos rūšys ir formos rekonstrukcijos vykdymui įgyvendinti.
Šoninės trinties ir kūginio stiprumo kitimo analizė moreniniuose moliniuose gruntuose
Authors: Matijenko Renata
Published: December 2015

Nagrinėjamas moreninių molinių gruntų šoninės trinties fs ir kūginio stiprumo qc kitimas. Ištirta 17 objektų ir 237 gręžiniai. Duomenys apdoroti MS EXCEL programa. Išvestos duomenų vidutinės kūginio stiprumo ir šoninės trinties reikšmės. Rezultatai nagrinėjami ir pateikiami grafiškai. Pirma grupė – moreniniai moliniai gruntai, nagrinėjami neišskiriant jų pagal būvį, priesmėliai ir priemoliai aptariami kartu. Antra grupė – moreniniai moliniai gruntai, išskiriami pagal būvį. Trečia grupė – moreniniai moliniai gruntai, išskiriami pagal būvį ir pavadinimą. Pateiktuose paveiksluose matyti, kad priesmėlių kūginio stiprumo qc ir šoninės trinties fs priklausomybė yra didesnė negu priemolių.
Organizacijos veiklos efektyvumo didinimas taikant balso analizę: sisteminis požiūris
Authors: Bartkienė Lina
Published: December 2015

Šio straipsnio tikslas – išanalizuoti su sistemų teorija susijusią literatūrą bei pateikti organizacijos veiklos efektyvumo didinimo naudojant balso analizę sistemą. Straipsnyje nagrinėjamos sisteminio požiūrio koncepcijos, trumpai aptariama, kas yra sistema, jos elementai, kaip sistemos gali būti klasifikuojamos. Vadovaujantis sistemų teorijos principais pateikiama organizacijos veiklos efektyvumo didinimo naudojant balso analizę sistema. Trumpai aprašomas kiekvienas ją sudarantis elementas, t. y. darbuotoją veikiantys vidiniai procesai, išorinė aplinka, balso analizės sistema, ekspertinė sistema, pirminis ir galutinis organizacijos veiklos efektyvumas, nustatomi šiuos elementus siejantys ryšiai.
Daugiatikslė verbalinė analizė sprendžiant teritorijų planavimo uždavinius
Authors: Višnevskaja Andželika
Published: December 2015

Teritorijų planavimo dokumentų (planų) rengimas šiuo metu yra sudėtinga, daug laiko, pastangų, žinių bei įgūdžių reikalaujanti procedūra. Todėl svarbu nustatyti veiksnius, darančius įtaką teritorijų planavimo procesui, išanalizuoti jų svarbą teritorijų plėtros bendrajai erdvinei koncepcijai, žemės naudojimo prioritetams, aplinkosaugai, paminklosaugai, žemės, miškų, ir vandens naudmenoms, gyvenamosioms bei gamybinėms teritorijoms, infrastruktūros sistemos formavimui, gyventojų užimtumo reguliavimui, fizinių ir juridinių asmenų veiklai. Nagrinėjami Lietuvos, Lenkijos ir Vokietijos nacionalinio lygmens teritorijų planavimo principai. Atliekama teritorijų planavimo procesų lyginamoji verbalinė analizė Lietuvos, Lenkijos ir Vokietijos šalių pavyzdžiu. Analizės tikslas – nustatyti pagrindinius kriterijus, apibūdinančius teritorijų planavimo procesus Lietuvoje, Lenkijoje ir Vokietijoje. Šie procesai lyginami taikant verbalinį metodą ir UniComBOS sistemą.
APOGEE CHEMICAL TAGGING CONSTRAINT ON THE MAXIMUM STAR CLUSTER MASS IN THE α-ENHANCED GALACTIC DISK
Authors: Ting (丁源森) Yuan-Sen , Conroy Charlie , Rix Hans-Walter
Published: December 2015

Stars born from the same molecular cloud should be nearly homogeneous in their element abundances. The concept of chemical tagging is to identify members of disrupted clusters by their clustering in element abundance space. Chemical tagging requires large samples of stars with precise abundances for many individual elements. With uncertainties of

and

for 10 elements measured for

stars, the APOGEE DR12 spectra may be the first well-suited data set to put this idea into practice. We find that even APOGEE data offer only ∼500 independent volume elements in the 10-dimensional abundance space, when we focus on the α-enhanced Galactic disk. We develop and apply a new algorithm to search for chemically homogeneous sets of stars against a dominant background. By injecting star clusters into the APOGEE data set, we show that chemically homogeneous clusters with masses

would be easily detectable and yet no such signal is seen in the data. By generalizing this approach, we put a first abundance-based constraint on the cluster mass function for the old disk stars in the Milky Way.
HORIZONTAL FLOWS IN ACTIVE REGIONS FROM RING-DIAGRAM AND LOCAL CORRELATION TRACKING METHODS
Authors: Jain Kiran , Tripathy S. C. , Ravindra B. , Komm R. , Hill F.
Published: December 2015

Continuous high-cadence and high spatial resolution Dopplergrams allow us to study subsurface dynamics that may be further extended to explore precursors of visible solar activity on the surface. Since the p-mode power is absorbed in the regions of high magnetic field, the inferences in these regions are often presumed to have large uncertainties. In this paper, using the Dopplergrams from space-borne Helioseismic Magnetic Imager, we compare horizontal flows in a shear layer below the surface and the photospheric layer in and around active regions. The photospheric flows are calculated using the local correlation tracking (LCT) method, while the ring-diagram technique of helioseismology is used to infer flows in the subphotospheric shear layer. We find a strong positive correlation between flows from both methods near the surface. This implies that despite the absorption of acoustic power in the regions of strong magnetic field, the flows inferred from the helioseismology are comparable to those from the surface measurements. However, the magnitudes are significantly different; the flows from the LCT method are smaller by a factor of 2 than the helioseismic measurements. Also, the median difference between the direction of corresponding vectors is 49°.
CORRELATION OF HARD X-RAY AND WHITE LIGHT EMISSION IN SOLAR FLARES
Authors: Kuhar Matej , Krucker Säm , Oliveros Juan Carlos Martínez , Battaglia Marina , Kleint Lucia , Casadei Diego , Hudson Hugh S.
Published: December 2015

A statistical study of the correlation between hard X-ray and white light emission in solar flares is performed in order to search for a link between flare-accelerated electrons and white light formation. We analyze 43 flares spanning GOES classes M and X using observations from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager and Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager. We calculate X-ray fluxes at 30 keV and white light fluxes at 6173 Å summed over the hard X-ray flare ribbons with an integration time of 45 s around the peak hard-X ray time. We find a good correlation between hard X-ray fluxes and excess white light fluxes, with a highest correlation coefficient of 0.68 for photons with energy of 30 keV. Assuming the thick target model, a similar correlation is found between the deposited power by flare-accelerated electrons and the white light fluxes. The correlation coefficient is found to be largest for energy deposition by electrons above ∼50 keV. At higher electron energies the correlation decreases gradually while a rapid decrease is seen if the energy provided by low-energy electrons is added. This suggests that flare-accelerated electrons of energy ∼50 keV are the main source for white light production.
Budd-Chiari Syndrome: An Unusual Presentation of Multisystemic Sarcoidosis
Authors: Ennaifer Rym , Bacha Dhouha , Romdhane Hayfa , Cheikh Myriam , Ben Nejma Houda , BelHadj Najet
Published: December 2015

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown origin. All organs may be affected. Liver involvement is common but it is rarely symptomatic. Only a few cases of Budd- Chiari syndrome (BCS) secondary to a hepatic sarcoidosis have been described so far. We describe a case of multisystemic sarcoidosis presenting with BCS. A 42-year old female was referred to our department for chronic and anicteric cholestasis. Laboratory and imaging investigations disclosed features of chronic BCS associated with multisystemic sarcoidosis. The positive diagnosis was based on microscopic features, which showed hepatic, gastric and cutaneous non-caseating granulomas. Screening for an underlying thrombophilic disorder was negative. The diagnosis of BCS complicating hepatic sarcoidosis was the most likely. She was put on corticosteroids and anticoagulation therapy. To our knowledge, few cases of sarcoidosis-related BCS have been reported in the literature. In addition to being an uncommon presentation of sarcoidosis, this case illustrates the importance of recognizing an unusual cause of BCS and its therapeutic difficulties.
INFECTIOUS AETIOLOGY OF MARGINAL ZONE LYMPHOMA AND ROLE OF ANTI-INFECTIVE THERAPY
Authors: Perrone Salvatore , D'Elia Gianna Maria , Pulsoni Alessandro
Published: December 2015

Marginal zone lymphomas have been associated with several infectious agents covering both viral and bacterial pathogens and in some cases a clear aetiological role has been established. Pathogenetic mechanisms are currently not completely understood, however the role of chronic stimulation of the host immune response with persistent lymphocyte activation represents the most convincing explanation for lymphoproliferation. Gastric MALT lymphoma is strictly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and various eradicating protocols, developed due to increasing antibiotic resistance, represent the first line therapy. The response rate to eradication is good with 80% of response at 1 year; this finding is also noteworthy because recapitulates a cancer cured only by antibacterial approach and it satisfies the Koch postulates of causation, establishing a causative relationship between Hp and gastric MALT lymphoma. Patients with chronic HCV infection have 5 times higher risk to develop MZL, in particular an association with splenic and nodal MZL has been shown in several studies. Moreover, there is evidence of lymphoma regression after antiviral therapy with interferon+ribavirin, thus rising hope that new available drugs, extremely effective against HCV replication, could improve outcome also in HCV-driven lymphomas. The rare cases of MZL localized to orbital fat and eye conjunctivas have been associated with Chlamydia psittaci infection carried by birds. Efficacy of antibacterial therapy against C. psittaci are conflicting and generally poorer thain gastric MALT. Finally some case-reports will cover the relationship between primary cutaneous B-cell Lymphomas and Borrelia Burgdorferi.
18 F sodium fluoride PET/CT in patients with prostate cancer: Quantification of normal tissues, benign degenerative lesions, and malignant lesions
Authors: Oldan Jorge , Hawkins A , Chin Bennett
Published: December 2015

Understanding the range and variability of normal, benign degenerative, and malignant 18 F sodium fluoride ( 18 F NaF) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) uptake is important in influencing clinical interpretation. Further, it is essential for the development of realistic semiautomated quantification techniques and simulation models. The purpose of this study is to determine the range of these values in a clinically relevant patient population with prostate cancer. 18 F NaF PET/CT scans were analyzed in patients with prostate cancer (n = 47) referred for evaluation of bone metastases. Mean and maximum standardized uptake values [SUVs (SUV mean and SUV max )] were made in normal background regions (n = 470) including soft tissues (liver, aorta, bladder, adipose, brain, and paraspinal muscle) and osseous structures (T12 vertebral body, femoral diaphyseal cortex, femoral head medullary space, and ribs). Degenerative joint disease (DJD; n = 281) and bone metastases (n = 159) were identified and quantified by an experienced reader using all scan information including coregistered CT. For normal bone regions, the highest 18 F NaF PET SUV mean occurred in T12 (6.8 ± 1.4) and it also showed the lowest coefficient of variation (cv = 21%). For normal soft tissues, paraspinal muscles showed very low SUV mean (0.70 ± 0.11) and also showed the lowest variability (cv = 16%). Average SUV mean in metastatic lesions is higher than uptake in benign degenerative lesions but values showed a wide variance and overlapping values (16.3 ± 13 vs 11.1 ± 3.8; P < 0.00001). The normal 18 F NaF PET uptake values for prostate cancer patients in normal background, benign degenerative disease, and osseous metastases are comparable to those reported for a general population with a wide variety of diagnoses. These normal ranges, specifically for prostate cancer patients, will aid in clinical interpretation and also help to establish the basis of normal limits in a semiautomated data analysis algorithm.
Dynamics of Calcium Signal and Leukotriene C4Release in Mast Cells Network Induced by Mechanical Stimuli and Modulated by Interstitial Fluid Flow
Authors: Yao Wei , Yang Hongwei , Li Yabei , Ding Guanghong
Published: December 2015

Mast cells (MCs) play an important role in the immune system. Through connective tissues, mechanical stimuli activate intracellular calcium signaling pathways, induce a variety of mediators including leukotriene C4(LTC4) release, and affect MCs’ microenvironment. This paper focuses on MCs’ intracellular calcium dynamics and LTC4release responding to mechanical stimuli, explores signaling pathways in MCs and the effect of interstitial fluid flow on the transport of biological messengers and feedback in the MCs network. We use a mathematical model to show that (i) mechanical stimuli including shear stress induced by interstitial fluid flow can activate mechano-sensitive (MS) ion channels on MCs’ membrane and allow Ca2+entry, which increases intracellular Ca2+concentration and leads to LTC4release; (ii) LTC4in the extracellular space (ECS) acts on surface cysteinyl leukotriene receptors (LTC4R) on adjacent cells, leading to Ca2+influx through Ca2+release-activated Ca2+(CRAC) channels. An elevated intracellular Ca2+concentration further stimulates LTC4release and creates a positive feedback in the MCs network. The findings of this study may facilitate our understanding of the mechanotransduction process in MCs induced by mechanical stimuli, contribute to understanding of interstitial flow-related mechanobiology in MCs network, and provide a methodology for quantitatively analyzing physical treatment methods including acupuncture and massage in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Elastic Waves in Generalized Thermo-Piezoelectric Transversely Isotropic Circular Bar Immersed in Fluid
Authors: Ponnusamy Palaniyandi
Published: December 2015

In this paper, a mathematical model is developed to study the wave propagation in an infinite, homogeneous, transversely isotropic thermo-piezoelectric solid bar of circular cross-sections immersed in inviscid fluid. The present study is based on the use of the three-dimensional theory of elasticity. Three displacement potential functions are introduced to uncouple the equations of motion and the heat and electric conductions. The frequency equations are obtained for longitudinal and flexural modes of vibration and are studied based on Lord-Shulman, Green-Lindsay and Classical theory theories of thermo elasticity. The frequency equations of the coupled system consisting of cylinder and fluid are developed under the assumption of perfect-slip boundary conditions at the fluid-solid interfaces, which are obtained for longitudinal and flexural modes of vibration and are studied numerically for PZT-4 material bar immersed in fluid. The computed non-dimensional frequencies are compared with Lord-Shulman, Green-Lindsay and Classical theory theories of thermo elasticity for longitudinal and flexural modes of vibrations. The dispersion curves are drawn for longitudinal and flexural modes of vibrations. Moreover, the dispersion of specific loss and damping factors are also analyzed for longitudinal and flexural modes of vibrations.
A Comparative Study of Finite Element and Finite Difference Methods for Two-Dimensional Space-Fractional Advection-Dispersion Equation
Authors: Pang Guofei , Chen Wen , Sze Kam Yim
Published: December 2015

The paper makes a comparative study of the finite element method (FEM) and the finite difference method (FDM) for two-dimensional fractional advection-dispersion equation (FADE) which has recently been considered a promising tool in modeling non-Fickian solute transport in groundwater. Due to the non-local property of integro-differential operator of the space-fractional derivative, numerical solution of FADE is very challenging and little has been reported in literature, especially for high-dimensional case. In order to effectively apply the FEM and the FDM to the FADE on a rectangular domain, a backward-distance algorithm is presented to extend the triangular elements to generic polygon elements in the finite element analysis, and a variable-step vector Grünwald formula is proposed to improve the solution accuracy of the conventional finite difference scheme. Numerical investigation shows that the FEM compares favorably with the FDM in terms of accuracy and convergence rate whereas the latter enjoys less computational effort.
Stability Analysis and Order Improvement for Time Domain Differential Quadrature Method
Authors: Wang Fangzong , Liao Xiaobing , Xie Xiong
Published: December 2015

The differential quadrature method has been widely used in scientific and engineering computation. However, for the basic characteristics of time domain differential quadrature method, such as numerical stability and calculation accuracy or order, it is still lack of systematic analysis conclusions. In this paper, according to the principle of differential quadrature method, it has been derived and proved that the weighting coefficients matrix of differential quadrature method meets the important V-transformation feature. Through the equivalence of the differential quadrature method and the implicit Runge-Kutta method, it has been proved that the differential quadrature method is A-stable and s-stage s-order method. On this basis, in order to further improve the accuracy of the time domain differential quadrature method, a class of improved differential quadrature method of s-stage 2s-order has been proposed by using undetermined coefficients method and Padé approximations. The numerical results show that the proposed differential quadrature method is more precise than the traditional differential quadrature method.
The origins of pottery in East Asia: updated analysis (the 2015 state-of-the-art)
Authors: Kuzmin Yaroslav
Published: December 2015

Recent developments related to the emergence of pottery in East Asia and neighbouring regions are presented. According to a critical evaluation of the existing evidence, the oldest centres with pottery in East Asia are situated in South China (dated to c. 18 000 calBP), the Japanese Islands (c. 16 700 calBP), and the Russian Far East (c. 15 900 calBP). It is most likely that pottery-making appeared in these regions independently of each other. In Siberia, the earliest pottery now known isfrom the Transbaikal region (dated to c. 14 000 calBP). However, it did not influence the more westerly parts of Siberia in terms of the origin and spread of pottery-making.
Salt exploitation in the later prehistory of the Carpathian Basin
Authors: Harding Anthony
Published: December 2015

Salt is a necessity for humans and animals, today as in the ancient past. The ways in which salt was produced in ancient times vary from area to area, and could use briquetage, deep mining (as at Hallstatt), or the technique specific to Transylvania, based on wooden troughs, perforated in the base. How these troughs functioned is still uncertain. In the Iron Age a different technique was employed, involving deep shafts dug down to the rock salt surface. As well as technological considerations, it is crucial to understand the social and economic importance of salt in the ancient world.
Foodways architecture: storing, processing and dining structures at the Late Neolithic Vinča culture site at Stubline
Authors: Spasić Miloš , Živanović Saša
Published: December 2015

The paper presents an analysis of storing, processing and dining structures from the Vinča culture site at Stubline. Numerous clay structures found in houses were associated with everyday activities related to food. We argue that these structures were not only important in subsistence strategies, but were also profound symbolic agents involved in complex symbolic practices related to the conceptualisation of social spaces in Vinča culture houses.
Identifying Neolithic animal management practices in the Adriatic using stable isotopes
Authors: Zavodny Emily , McClure Sarah B. , Culleton Brendan J. , Podrug Emil , Kennett Douglas J.
Published: December 2015

We synthesise reported stable isotope values for domesticates and wild herbivores from sites spanning the Neolithic in coastal Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy (6000–3500 calBC). Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values are analyzed as proxies of diet and environment, with differences between species possibly indicating anthropogenic influence. Results are used to characterise diets and address questions of the origin and development of husbandry strategies, especially transhumance, in early farming communities. Changes in pig carbon and nitrogen isotope values through time suggest alterations in practices, whereas values remain relatively constant for cattle and ovicaprids during most of the Neolithic, despite assumptions of seasonal mobility.
Some remarks on the cognitive impact of metallurgical development in promoting numerical and metrological abstraction in Europe
Authors: Dzbynski Aleksander
Published: December 2015

If we accept the thesis that advanced metrological systems existed in Bronze Age societies, described and analysed as weight standards by many authors, we should also consider its simple consequence; these weight standards were the successors of earlier and rather simpler systems of value that developed within Eneolithic societies. Dealing with the issue of early metallurgy in Europe, some authors have traced patterns and proliferation cycles of copper for this period that allow us to see that the introduction of metal to the main regions in Europe was the subject of growth, spread, and changing social perspectives rather than a crisis in metal production and hiatus. This is the point, I think, at which we can embed one source of Bronze Age weight standards on the one hand, and earlier simpler methods of measuring copper, on the other.
The origin of farming in the Lower Volga Region
Authors: Vybornov Alexander , Kosintsev Pavel , Kulkova Marianna
Published: December 2015

The paper focuses on the results of archaeological, palaezoological, and radiocarbon analyses of Neolithic and Eneolithic sites in the Northern Caspian and Lower Volga regions. New analyses show that only wild animal species inhabited the territory in the Neolithic. Animals were not domesticated until the Eneolithic period.
The origins of agriculture in Iberia: a computational model
Authors: Gordó Salvador Pardo , Bernabeu Aubán Joan , García Puchol Oreto , Barton Michael , Bergin Sean M.
Published: December 2015

Here we discuss the importance of using the rich and growing database of high-precision, audited radiocarbon dates for high-resolution bottom-up modelling to focus on problems concerning the spread of the Neolithic in the Iberia. We also compare the spread of the Late Mesolithic (so-called Geometric) and the Early Neolithic using our modelling environment. Our results suggest that the source of radiocarbon data used to evaluate alternative hypotheses plays an important role in the results and open up new lines of research for the future.
An automatic precipitation phase distinction algorithm for optical disdrometer data over the global ocean
Authors: Burdanowitz J. , Klepp C. , Bakan S.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The lack of high quality in situ surface precipitation data over the global ocean so far limits the capability to validate satellite precipitation retrievals. The first systematic ship-based surface precipitation dataset OceanRAIN (Ocean Rainfall And Ice-phase precipitation measurement Network) aims at providing a comprehensive statistical basis of in situ precipitation reference data from optical disdrometers at 1 min resolution deployed on various research vessels (RVs). Deriving the precipitation rate for rain and snow requires a priori knowledge of the precipitation phase (PP). Therefore, we present an automatic PP distinction algorithm using available data based on more than four years of atmospheric measurements onboard RV Polarstern that covers all climatic regions of the Atlantic Ocean. A time-consuming manual PP distinction within the OceanRAIN post-processing serves as reference, mainly based on 3 hourly present weather information from a human observer. For automation, we find that the combination of air temperature, relative humidity and 99th percentile of the particle diameter predicts best the PP with respect to the manually determined PP. Excluding mixed-phase, this variable combination reaches an accuracy of 91 % when compared to the manually determined PP for about 149 000 min of precipitation from RV Polarstern. Including mixed-phase (165 000 min), 81.2 % accuracy are reached with a slight snow overprediction bias of 0.93 for two independent PP distributions. In that respect, a method using two independent PP distributions outperforms a method based on only one PP distribution. The new statistical automatic PP distinction method significantly speeds up the data post-processing within OceanRAIN while introducing an objective PP probability for each PP at 1 min resolution.
Hidden biosphere in an oxygen-deficient Atlantic open-ocean eddy: future implications of ocean deoxygenation on primary production in the eastern tropical North Atlantic
Authors: Löscher C. R. , Fischer M. A. , Neulinger S. C. , Fiedler B. , Philippi M. , Schütte F. , Singh A. , Hauss H. , Karstensen J. , Körtzinger A. , Künzel S. , Schmitz R. A.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The eastern tropical North Atlantic (ETNA) is characterized by a highly productive coastal upwelling system and a moderate oxygen minimum zone with lowest open-ocean oxygen (O2) concentrations of approximately 40 μmol kg−1. The recent discovery of re-occurring mesoscale eddies with close to anoxic O2 concentrations (< 1 μmol kg−1) located just below the mixed layer has challenged our understanding of O2 distribution and biogeochemical processes in this area. Here, we present the first microbial community study from a deoxygenated anticyclonic modewater eddy in the open waters of the ETNA. In the eddy, we observed significantly lower bacterial diversity compared to surrounding waters, along with a significant community shift. We detected enhanced primary productivity in the surface layer of the eddy indicated by elevated chlorophyll concentrations and carbon uptake rates of up to three times as high as in surrounding waters. Carbon uptake rates below the euphotic zone correlated to the presence of a specific high-light ecotype of Prochlorococcus, which is usually underrepresented in the ETNA. Our data indicate that high primary production in the eddy fuels export production and supports enhanced respiration in a specific microbial community at shallow depths, below the mixed-layer base. The transcription of the key functional marker gene for dentrification, nirS, further indicated a potential for nitrogen loss processes in O2-depleted core waters of the eddy. Dentrification is usually absent from the open ETNA waters. In light of future projected ocean deoxygenation, our results show that even distinct events of anoxia have the potential to alter microbial community structure with critical impacts on primary productivity and biogeochemical processes of oceanic water bodies.
Larval development and settling of Macoma balthica in a large-scale mesocosm experiment at different fCO2 levels
Authors: Jansson A. , Lischka S. , Boxhammer T. , Schulz K. G. , Norkko J.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are causing severe changes in the global inorganic carbon balance of the oceans. Associated ocean acidification is expected to impose a major threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, and it is also expected to be amplified in the Baltic Sea where the system is already at present exposed to relatively large natural seasonal and diel pH fluctuations. The response of organisms to future ocean acidification has primarily been studied in single-species experiments, whereas the knowledge of community-wide responses is still limited. To study responses of the Baltic Sea pelagic community to a range of future CO2-scenarios, six ∼ 55 m3 pelagic mesocosms were deployed in the northern Baltic Sea in June 2012. In this specific study we focused on the tolerance, development and subsequent settlement process of the larvae of the benthic key-species Macoma balthica when exposed to different levels of future CO2. We found that the settling of M. balthica was delayed along the increasing CO2 gradient of the mesocosms. Also, when exposed to increasing CO2 levels larvae settled at a larger size, indicating a developmental delay. With on-going climate change, both the frequency and extent of regularly occurring high CO2 conditions is likely to increase, and a permanent pH decrease will likely occur. The strong impact of increasing CO2 levels on early-stage bivalves is alarming as these stages are crucial for sustaining viable populations, and a failure in their recruitment would ultimately lead to negative effects on the population.
On the state dependency of the equilibrium climate sensitivity during the last 5 million years
Authors: Köhler P. , de Boer B. , von der Heydt A. S. , Stap L. B. , van de Wal R. S. W.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. It is still an open question how equilibrium warming in response to increasing radiative forcing – the specific equilibrium climate sensitivity S – depends on background climate. We here present palaeodata-based evidence on the state dependency of S, by using CO2 proxy data together with a 3-D ice-sheet-model-based reconstruction of land ice albedo over the last 5 million years (Myr). We find that the land ice albedo forcing depends non-linearly on the background climate, while any non-linearity of CO2 radiative forcing depends on the CO2 data set used. This non-linearity has not, so far, been accounted for in similar approaches due to previously more simplistic approximations, in which land ice albedo radiative forcing was a linear function of sea level change. The latitudinal dependency of ice-sheet area changes is important for the non-linearity between land ice albedo and sea level. In our set-up, in which the radiative forcing of CO2 and of the land ice albedo (LI) is combined, we find a state dependence in the calculated specific equilibrium climate sensitivity, S[CO2,LI], for most of the Pleistocene (last 2.1 Myr). During Pleistocene intermediate glaciated climates and interglacial periods, S[CO2,LI] is on average ~ 45 % larger than during Pleistocene full glacial conditions. In the Pliocene part of our analysis (2.6–5 Myr BP) the CO2 data uncertainties prevent a well-supported calculation for S[CO2,LI], but our analysis suggests that during times without a large land ice area in the Northern Hemisphere (e.g. before 2.82 Myr BP), the specific equilibrium climate sensitivity, S[CO2,LI], was smaller than during interglacials of the Pleistocene. We thus find support for a previously proposed state change in the climate system with the widespread appearance of northern hemispheric ice sheets. This study points for the first time to a so far overlooked non-linearity in the land ice albedo radiative forcing, which is important for similar palaeodata-based approaches to calculate climate sensitivity. However, the implications of this study for a suggested warming under CO2 doubling are not yet entirely clear since the details of necessary corrections for other slow feedbacks are not fully known and the uncertainties that exist in the ice-sheet simulations and global temperature reconstructions are large.
Estimation of forest parameters using airborne laser scanning data
Authors: Cohen J.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Methods for the estimation of forest characteristics by airborne laser scanning (ALS) data have been introduced by several authors. Tree height (TH) and canopy closure (CC) describing the forest properties can be used in forest, construction and industry applications, as well as research and decision making. The National Land Survey has been collecting ALS data from Finland since 2008 to generate a nationwide high resolution digital elevation model. Although this data has been collected in leaf-off conditions, it still has the potential to be utilized in forest mapping. A method where this data is used for the estimation of CC and TH in the boreal forest region is presented in this paper. Evaluation was conducted in eight test areas across Finland by comparing the results with corresponding Multi-Source National Forest Inventory (MS-NFI) datasets. The ALS based CC and TH maps were generally in a good agreement with the MS-NFI data. As expected, deciduous forests caused some underestimation in CC and TH, but the effect was not major in any of the test areas. The processing chain has been fully automated enabling fast generation of forest maps for different areas.
Coupling aerosol optics to the chemical transport model MATCH (v5.5.0) and aerosol dynamics module SALSA (v1)
Authors: Andersson E. , Kahnert M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Modelling aerosol optical properties is a notoriously difficult task due to the particles' complex morphologies and compositions. Yet aerosols and their optical properties are important for Earth system modelling and remote sensing applications. Operational optics models often make drastic and non realistic approximations regarding morphological properties, which can introduce errors. In this study a new aerosol optics model is implemented, in which more realistic morphologies and mixing states are assumed, especially for black carbon aerosols. The model includes both external and internal mixing of all chemical species, it treats externally mixed black carbon as fractal aggregates, and it accounts for inhomogeneous internal mixing of black carbon by use of a novel "core-grey shell" model. Simulated results of radiative fluxes, backscattering coefficients and the Ångström exponent from the new optics model are compared with results from another model simulating particles as externally mixed homogeneous spheres. To gauge the impact on the optical properties from the new optics model, the known and important effects from using aerosol dynamics serves as a reference. The results show that using a more detailed description of particle morphology and mixing states influences the optical properties to the same degree as aerosol dynamics. This is an important finding suggesting that over-simplified optics models coupled to a chemical transport model can introduce considerable errors; this can strongly effect simulations of radiative fluxes in Earth-system models, and it can compromise the use of remote sensing observations of aerosols in model evaluations and chemical data assimilation.
HESS Opinions: The need for process-based evaluation of large-domain hyper-resolution models
Authors: Melsen L. A. , Teuling A. J. , Torfs P. J. J. F. , Uijlenhoet R. , Mizukami N. , Clark M. P.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. A meta-analysis on 192 peer-reviewed articles reporting applications of the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model in a distributed way reveals that the spatial resolution at which the model is applied has increased over the years, while the calibration and validation time interval has remained unchanged. We argue that the calibration and validation time interval should keep pace with the increase in spatial resolution in order to resolve the processes that are relevant at the applied spatial resolution. We identified six time concepts in hydrological models, which all impact the model results and conclusions. Process-based model evaluation is particularly relevant when models are applied at hyper-resolution, where stakeholders expect credible results both at a high spatial and temporal resolution.
Nonlinear feedback in a six-dimensional Lorenz model: impact of an additional heating term
Authors: Shen B.-W.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. In this study, a six-dimensional Lorenz model (6DLM) is derived, based on a recent study using a five-dimensional (5-D) Lorenz model (LM), in order to examine the impact of an additional mode and its accompanying heating term on solution stability. The new mode added to improve the representation of the streamfunction is referred to as a secondary streamfunction mode, while the two additional modes, which appear in both the 6DLM and 5DLM but not in the original LM, are referred to as secondary temperature modes. Two energy conservation relationships of the 6DLM are first derived in the dissipationless limit. The impact of three additional modes on solution stability is examined by comparing numerical solutions and ensemble Lyapunov exponents of the 6DLM and 5DLM as well as the original LM. For the onset of chaos, the critical value of the normalized Rayleigh number (rc) is determined to be 41.1. The critical value is larger than that in the 3DLM (rc ~ 24.74), but slightly smaller than the one in the 5DLM (rc ~ 42.9). A stability analysis and numerical experiments obtained using generalized LMs, with or without simplifications, suggest the following: (1) negative nonlinear feedback in association with the secondary temperature modes, as first identified using the 5DLM, plays a dominant role in providing feedback for improving the solution's stability of the 6DLM, (2) the additional heating term in association with the secondary streamfunction mode may destabilize the solution, and (3) overall feedback due to the secondary streamfunction mode is much smaller than the feedback due to the secondary temperature modes; therefore, the critical Rayleigh number of the 6DLM is comparable to that of the 5DLM. The 5DLM and 6DLM collectively suggest different roles for small-scale processes (i.e., stabilization vs. destabilization), consistent with the following statement by Lorenz (1972): "If the flap of a butterfly's wings can be instrumental in generating a tornado, it can equally well be instrumental in preventing a tornado." The implications of this and previous work, as well as future work, are also discussed.
Wavelet analysis for non-stationary, non-linear time series
Authors: Schulte J. A.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Methods for detecting and quantifying nonlinearities in nonstationary time series are introduced and developed. In particular, higher-order wavelet analysis was applied to an ideal time series and the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) time series. Multiple-testing problems inherent in wavelet analysis were addressed by controlling the false discovery rate. A new local autobicoherence spectrum facilitated the detection of local nonlinearities and the quantification of cycle geometry. The local autobicoherence spectrum of the QBO time series showed that the QBO time series contained a mode with a period of 28 months that was phase-coupled to a harmonic with a period of 14 months. An additional nonlinearly interacting triad was found among modes with periods of 10, 16, 26 months. Local biphase spectra determined that the nonlinear interactions were not quadratic and that the effect of the nonlinearities was to produce non-smoothly varying oscillations. The oscillations were found to be skewed so that negative QBO regimes were preferred, and also asymmetric in the sense that phase transitions between the easterly and westerly phases occurred more rapidly than those from westerly to easterly regimes.
Sediment concentration rating curves for a monsoonal climate: upper Blue Nile Basin
Authors: Moges M. A. , Zemale F. A. , Alemu M. L. , Ayele G. K. , Dagnew D. C. , Tilahun S. A. , Steenhuis T. S.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Information on sediment content in rivers is important for design of reservoirs and for environmental applications. Because of scarcity of continuous sediment data, methods have been developed to predict sediment loads based on few discontinuous measurements. Traditionally, loads are being predicted using rating curves that relate sediment load to discharge. The relationship assumes inherently a unique relationship between concentration and discharge and therefore although performing satisfactorily in predicting loads, it may be less suitable for predicting concentration. This is especially true in the Blue Nile basin of Ethiopia where concentrations decrease for a given discharge with the progression of the rainy monsoon phase. The objective of this paper is to improve the sediment concentration predictions throughout the monsoon period for the Ethiopian highlands with a modified rating type equation. To capture the observed sediment concentration pattern, we assume that the sediment concentration was at the transport limit early in the rainy season and then decrease linearly with effective rainfall towards source limited concentration. The modified concentration rating curve was calibrated for the four main rivers in the Lake Tana basin where sediment concentrations affect fish production and tourism. Then the scalability of the rating type equation was checked in three 100-ha watersheds for which historic data was available. The results show, that for predicting sediment concentrations, the (modified) concentration rating curve was more accurate than the (standard) load rating curve as expected. In addition loads were predicted more accurately for three of the four rivers. We expect that after more extensive testing over a wider geographical area, the proposed concentration rating curve will offer improved predictions of sediment concentrations in monsoonal climates.
Fiscal Rules, Automatic Stabilizers and Discretionary Fiscal Actions: Analyzing an Emerging Economy
Authors: Moreira Ricardo Ramalhete
Published: December 2015

This article analyzes the nature of the fiscal rule in Brazil, over the period from January 2005 to July 2012, using a VEC model. The initial findings identify a (weak) fiscal rule, as nominal deficits react counter-cyclically to domestic public debt and inflation changes. However, when we isolate the discretionary component of the fiscal policy its pro-cyclical bias can be highlighted. The estimates contribute to understand the preliminary findings and why such a policy is not enough to impose a sustainable downturn movement on the public debt / GDP ratio in Brazil over the last years.
The Efficacy of Monetary Policy Variables in Reducing Unemployment Rate in Nigeria
Authors: D Amassoma , Esther Francis Oluwatosin
Published: December 2015

The main purpose of embarking on this study is to ascertain the effectiveness of monetary policy in reducing unemployment rate in Nigeria using data spanning from 1970-2013. Despite the inconsistences in monetary policy instruments in Nigeria over the years there had not been much concrete evidence from theoretical and empirical literatures, regarding whether or not monetary policy is an effective tool that can be used to achieve key macroeconomic objective in the country vis-a-vis unemployment rate. The aforementioned as made this current study to be inevitable in terms of ascertaining whether monetary policy instrument in form of contractionary monetary policy exhibits the tendency to reduce unemployment rate in the country which is a topical issue around the globe. In order to achieve the above goals, the study utilized multiple regressions (OLS) approach and error correction modelling was used to examine the effect of some key monetary policy variables on unemployment in Nigeria. Evidence from the result shows that exchange rate and consumer’s price index are the only monetary policy variables that influence unemployment rate while others do not. The results equally x-rayed that there is a unidirectional causality between monetary policy variable and unemployment rate which runs from exchange rate to unemployment. Owing from the above, the study therefore recommends that, the monetary authorities via central bank of Nigeria should ensure some reasonable monetary policy stands that would be suitable in reducing interest rate in the economy. Furthermore they should ensure relatively stable prices of goods and services which would guarantee sustainable investment that can enhance employment opportunities in the country.
Review of e-portfolio requirements and methodology
Authors: Wan Joseph , Metcalfe Neil H
Published: December 2015

Background: Portfolios are used in medical practice as a means of instilling “reflective learning” in doctors and accumulating evidence of the doctor’s competence. It is a mandatory requirement by the General Medical Council (GMC), as a form of public accountability, for licensed clinicians to maintain an e-portfolio of daily clinical practice, which is subjected to annual appraisals and ultimately influences their ability to renew their license to practise in the UK. This article reviews the reflective learning process for which the e-portfolio is intended to instil in doctors and the level of evidence required to demonstrate competency and continuing professional development.Methods: A literature review was conducted on Medline and Google Scholar for any available guidance on writing e-portfolio entries and guidelines from the GMC, Royal Colleges and various training boards were reviewed to determine the type of evidence required to be demonstrated.Results: Fifteen articles had met the inclusion criteria on guiding e-portfolio writing. Guidelines reviewed constantly echoed the theme of “reflecting doctors” and “linking evidence to curriculum outcomes”. This article has also proposed a “Do, Reflect, Plan, Act” framework in writing portfolio entries.Conclusions: Creating and maintaining an e-portfolio throughout a lifelong career is no mean feat. We have reviewed the key components that clinicians ought to demonstrate in their e-portfolios, and introduced the “Do, Reflect, Plan, Act” framework, to enhance understanding of the e-portfolio as a learning tool to improve medical practice.