bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Optical Properties of Inorganic Matter-Dominated Oligo-to-Mesotrophic Inland Waters
Authors: Rodrigues Thanan , Mishra Deepak , Alcântara Enner , Astuti Ike , Watanabe Fernanda , Imai Nilton
Published: April 2018

Many studies over the years have focused on bio-optical modeling of inland waters to monitor water quality. However, those studies have been conducted mainly in eutrophic and hyper-eutrophic environments dominated by phytoplankton. With the launch of the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI)/Sentinel-3A in 2016, a range of bands became available including the 709 nm band recommended for scaling up these bio-optical models for productive inland waters. It was found that one category of existing bio-optical models, the quasi-analytical algorithms (QAAs), when applied to colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and detritus-dominated waters, produce large errors. Even after shifting the reference wavelength to 709 nm, the recently re-parameterized QAA versions could not accurately retrieve the inherent optical properties (IOPs) in waterbodies dominated by inorganic matter. In this study, three existing versions of QAA were implemented and proved inefficient for the study site. Therefore, several changes were incorporated into the QAA, starting with the re-parameterization of the empirical steps related to the total absorption coefficient retrieval. The re-parameterized QAA, QAAOMW showed a significant improvement in the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). MAPE decreased from 58.05% for existing open ocean QAA (QAALv5) to 16.35% for QAAOMW. Considerable improvement was also observed in the estimation of the absorption coefficient of CDOM and detritus from a MAPE of 91.05% for QAALv5 to 18.87% for QAAOMW. The retrieval of the absorption coefficient of phytoplankton ( a ϕ ) using the native form of QAA proved to be inaccurate for the oligo-to-mesotrophic waterbody due to the low a ϕ returning negative predictions. Therefore, a novel approach based on the normalized a ϕ was adopted to maintain the spectral shape and retrieve positive values, resulting in an improvement of 119% in QAAOMW. Further tuning and scale-up of QAAOMW to OLCI bands will aid in monitoring water resources and associated watershed processes.
Development of a Regularized Dynamic System Response Curve for Real-Time Flood Forecasting Correction
Authors: Sun Yiqun , Bao Weimin , Jiang Peng , Si Wei , Zhou Junwei , Zhang Qian
Published: April 2018

The dynamic system response curve (DSRC) is commonly applied as a real-time flood forecasting error correction method to improve the accuracy of real-time flood forecasting. It has been widely recognized that the least squares (OLS/LS) method, employed by DSRC, breaks down ill-posed problems, and therefore, the DSRC method may lead to deterioration in performance caused by meaningless solutions. To address this problem, a diagnostically theoretical analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between the numerical solution of the Fredholm equation of the first kind and the DSRC method. The analysis clearly demonstrates the derivation of the problem and has implications for an improved approach. To overcome the unstable problem, a new method using regularization techniques (Tikhonov regularization and L-Curve criterion) is proposed. Moreover, in this study, to improve the performance of hydrological models, the new method is used as an error correction method to correct a variable from a hydrological model. The proposed method incorporates the information from a hydrological model structure. Based on the analysis of the hydrological model, the free water storage of the Xinanjiang rainfall-runoff (XAJ) model is corrected to improve the model’s performance. A numerical example and a real case study are presented to compare the two methods. Results from the numerical example indicate that the mean Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency value (NSE) of the regularized DSRC method (RDSRC) decreased from 0.99 to 0.55, while the mean NSE of DSRC decreased from 0.98 to −1.84 when the noise level was increased. The overall performance measured by four different criteria clearly demonstrates the robustness of the RDSRC method. Similar results were obtained for the real case study. The mean NSE of 35 flood events obtained by RDSRC method was 0.92, which is significantly higher than the mean NSE of DSRC (0.7). The results demonstrate that the RDSRC method is much more robust than the DSRC method. The applicability and usefulness of the RDSRC approach for real-time flood forecasting is demonstrated via the numerical example and the real case study.
Multi-Objective Validation of SWAT for Sparsely-Gauged West African River Basins—A Remote Sensing Approach
Authors: Poméon Thomas , Diekkrüger Bernd , Springer Anne , Kusche Jürgen , Eicker Annette
Published: April 2018

Predicting freshwater resources is a major concern in West Africa, where large parts of the population depend on rain-fed subsistence agriculture. However, a steady decline in the availability of in-situ measurements of climatic and hydrologic variables makes it difficult to simulate water resource availability with hydrological models. In this study, a modeling framework was set up for sparsely-gauged catchments in West Africa using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), whilst largely relying on remote sensing and reanalysis inputs. The model was calibrated using two different strategies and validated using discharge measurements. New in this study is the use of a multi-objective validation conducted to further investigate the performance of the model, where simulated actual evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and total water storage were evaluated using remote sensing data. Results show that the model performs well (R2 calibration: 0.52 and 0.51; R2 validation: 0.63 and 0.61) and the multi-objective validation reveals good agreement between predictions and observations. The study reveals the potential of using remote sensing data in sparsely-gauged catchments, resulting in good performance and providing data for evaluating water balance components that are not usually validated. The modeling framework presented in this study is the basis for future studies, which will address model response to extreme drought and flood events and further examine the coincidence with Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) total water storage retrievals.
Glacial Lake Detection from GaoFen-2 Multispectral Imagery Using an Integrated Nonlocal Active Contour Approach: A Case Study of the Altai Mountains, Northern Xinjiang Province
Authors: Zhang Meimei , Chen Fang , Tian Bangsen
Published: April 2018

Due to recent global climate change, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) have become a serious problem in many high mountain areas. Accurately and rapidly mapping glacial lakes is the basis of other glacial lake studies that are associated with water resources management, flood hazard assessment, and climate change. Most glacial lake detection studies have mainly used medium to coarse resolution images, whose application is limited to large lakes. Because small glacial lakes are abundant and because changes in these lakes are small and occur around the lake shores, fine-resolution satellite imagery is required for adequate assessments. In addition, the existing detection methods are mainly based on simply applying a threshold on various normalized difference water indices (NDWIs); this cannot give appropriate results for glacial lakes that have a wide range of turbidity, mineral, and chlorophyll content. In the present study, we propose a region-dependent framework to overcome the spectral heterogeneity of glacial lake areas using a nonlocal active contour model that is integrated with the NDWI. As the first trial, the glacial lakes were detected using high-resolution GaoFen-2 multispectral imagery in the test site of Altai Mountains (northern Xinjiang Province). The validation of the results was carried out using the manually digitized lake boundaries. The average probabilities of false positives P F P and false negatives P F N were found to be 0.0106 and 0.0039, respectively. After taking into consideration the spectral features of the water and making slight NDWI threshold adjustments, this method can also be used for lake detection in any glaciated environment elsewhere in the world.
Runoff Water as A Resource in the Campo de Cartagena (Region of Murcia): Current Possibilities for Use and Benefits
Authors: Castejón-Porcel Gregorio , Espín-Sánchez David , Ruiz-Álvarez Víctor , García-Marín Ramón , Moreno-Muñoz Daniel
Published: April 2018

The scarcity of water in the Campo de Cartagena has limited its exploitation, which is why, historically, runoff water has been used through sustainable traditional practices which have been dismissed by technological advances. In order to demonstrate the potential of this resource at present, an analysis by interpolation of rainfall distribution in the sub-basin of the Rambla de Fuente Álamo-Albujón was carried out (for the intense rainfall episodes of 2012 and 2016) as well as hydraulic modelling of the estimation of surface runoff. In addition, taking into account the future climate scenarios, a projection of the total runoff in the study area was made up to the year 2100. The bibliographic review and the press analysis showed that the traditional use of runoff water has remained in disuse, although there are infrastructures to collect water from floods but with an eminently sanitary purpose. The current model of agricultural and touristic exploitation is giving rise to serious socio-environmental conflicts which manifest in obsolescence. Therefore, the increase in the availability of water with the use of a specific endogenous resource may lead to a decrease in the pressures exerted on the study area.
A Flood Risk Assessment of Quang Nam, Vietnam Using Spatial Multicriteria Decision Analysis
Authors: Luu Chinh , Von Meding Jason
Published: April 2018

Vietnam is highly vulnerable to flood and storm impacts. Holistic flood risk assessment maps that adequately consider flood risk factors of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability are not available. These are vital for flood risk preparedness and disaster mitigation measures at the local scale. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge about spatial multicriteria decision analysis and flood risk analysis more broadly in Vietnam. In response to this need, we identify and quantify flood risk components in Quang Nam province through spatial multicriteria decision analysis. The study presents a new approach to local flood risk assessment mapping, which combines historical flood marks with exposure and vulnerability data. The flood risk map output could assist and empower decision-makers in undertaking flood risk management activities in the province. Our study demonstrates a methodology to build flood risk assessment maps using flood mark, exposure and vulnerability data, which could be applied in other provinces in Vietnam.
Avec qui les ouvrières et les employées vivent-elles en couple ?
Authors: Bernard Lise , Giraud Christophe
Published: April 2018

Cet article montre que les situations conjugales des hommes et des femmes de milieux populaires ont été affectées par plusieurs transformations depuis le début des années 1980 : distance accrue à la vie conjugale, réduction importante des couples composés d’un ouvrier en emploi et d’une inactive, recul de l’homogamie pour les employé·e·s. Cet article contribue aussi à l’analyse de la diversité actuelle des femmes de milieux populaires à partir d’une étude de leurs unions matrimoniales. Il met notamment en évidence l’existence d’une stratification au sein des différentes catégories d’ouvrières et d’employées : un « haut » regroupe des femmes, dotées de ressources multiples, qui ont tendance à s’unir avec des hommes occupant des positions sociales plus élevées ; un « bas » où les deux partenaires sont très touchés par la précarité ; enfin, des pôles médians, marqués par le monde ouvrier, certains emplois du commerce, les services peu qualifiés et où les femmes sont plus ou moins éloignées de l’emploi.
Validation of the Cancer Health Literacy Test-30 for Populations Without Cancer
Authors: Dumenci Levent , Matsuyama Robin K. , Riddle Daniel L. , Cartwright Laura , Siminoff Laura A.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Cancer incidence continues to be common and highly consequential for future cancer patients, family members, and other untrained caregivers. Because low health literacy increases the likelihood of poor health outcomes, those with low health literacy would benefit from interventions to improve cancer health literacy.

Objective:

Our study was designed to address the need for measuring cancer health literacy in populations without cancer.

Methods:

The Cancer Health Literacy Test-30 (CHLT-30) was psychometrically tested on 512 people without a cancer diagnosis.

Key Results:

In this population without cancer, the CHLT-30 had strong psychometric properties including unidimensional measurement structure, high reliability, and invariant measurement between gender, race/ethnicity, and educational-attainment groups.

Conclusion:

These results support the use of the CHLT-30 to measure cancer health literacy in research studies of family members of people with cancer or the general public. The potential for using the CHLT-30 in clinical practice to assess the need for education for general patient and cancer patient populations is a future direction.

[
HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice
. 2018;2(2):e58–e66.]

Plain Language Summary:

Psychometric evidence suggests that the CHLT-30, originally developed for cancer patients, can be used to measure cancer health literacy of individuals with no history of cancer as well.
Peptide Vaccine Formulation Controls the Duration of Antigen Presentation and Magnitude of Tumor-Specific CD8+ T Cell Response
Authors: Khong Hiep , Volmari Annika , Sharma Meenu , Dai Zhimin , Imo Chinonye S. , Hailemichael Yared , Singh Manisha , Moore Derek T. , Xiao Zhilan , Huang Xue-fei , Horvath Thomas D. , Hawke David H. , Overwijk Willem W.
Published: April 2018

Despite remarkable progresses in vaccinology, therapeutic cancer vaccines have not achieved their full potential. We previously showed that an excessively long duration of Ag presentation critically reduced the quantity and quality of vaccination-induced T cell responses and subsequent antitumor efficacy. In this study, using a murine model and tumor cell lines, we studied l-tyrosine amino acid–based microparticles as a peptide vaccine adjuvant with a short-term Ag depot function for the induction of tumor-specific T cells. l-Tyrosine microparticles did not induce dendritic cell maturation, and their adjuvant activity was not mediated by inflammasome activation. Instead, prolonged Ag presentation in vivo translated into increased numbers and antitumor activity of vaccination-induced CD8+ T cells. Indeed, prolonging Ag presentation by repeated injection of peptide in saline resulted in an increase in T cell numbers similar to that observed after vaccination with peptide/l-tyrosine microparticles. Our results show that the duration of Ag presentation is critical for optimal induction of antitumor T cells, and can be manipulated through vaccine formulation.
Characterizing the Mechanisms of Nonopsonic Uptake of Cryptococci by Macrophages
Authors: Lim Jenson , Coates Christopher J. , Seoane Paula I. , Garelnabi Mariam , Taylor-Smith Leanne M. , Monteith Pauline , Macleod Camille L. , Escaron Claire J. , Brown Gordon D. , Hall Rebecca A. , May Robin C.
Published: April 2018

The pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus enters the human host via inhalation into the lung and is able to reside in a niche environment that is serum- (opsonin) limiting. Little is known about the mechanism by which nonopsonic phagocytosis occurs via phagocytes in such situations. Using a combination of soluble inhibitors of phagocytic receptors and macrophages derived from knockout mice and human volunteers, we show that uptake of nonopsonized Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii via the mannose receptor is dependent on macrophage activation by cytokines. However, although uptake of C. neoformans is via both dectin-1 and dectin-2, C. gattii uptake occurs largely via dectin-1. Interestingly, dectin inhibitors also blocked phagocytosis of unopsonized Cryptococci in wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae and partially protected the larvae from infection by both fungi, supporting a key role for host phagocytes in augmenting early disease establishment. Finally, we demonstrated that internalization of nonopsonized Cryptococci is not accompanied by the nuclear translocation of NF-κB or its concomitant production of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. Thus, nonopsonized Cryptococci are recognized by mammalian phagocytes in a manner that minimizes proinflammatory cytokine production and potentially facilitates fungal pathogenesis.
A case study on the labeling of bottarga produced in Sardinia from ovaries of grey mullets (Mugil cephalus and Mugil capurrii) caught in Eastern Central Atlantic coasts
Authors: Piras Pierluigi , Sardu Francesco , Meloni Domenico , Riina Maria Vittoria , Beltramo Chiara , Acutis Pier Luigi
Published: April 2018

The aim of this case study is to show how traditional and molecular methods can be employed to identify the Mugilidae species currently used in Sardinia (Italy) to produce the traditional bottarga for the processing of their ovaries. A total of six specimens of Mugil cephalus (n=3) and Mugil capurrii (n=3) were subjected to external morphology and meristic measurements. Subsequently, tissue samples of white muscle and ovaries from three individuals per species were underwent PCR-sequencing assay of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). The external morphology and meristic characters showed a sufficient level of reliability in the identification between the two species. At the same time, the molecular techniques showed the discriminatory power and confirmed the correct species identification in all the sampling units. DNA barcoding may be an effective aid to traditional taxonomy and can facilitate accurate species identification among the Mugilidae.
Spectrophotometric techniques for the characterization of strains involved in the blue pigmentation of food: Preliminary results
Authors: Fasolato Luca , Andreani Nadia Andrea , De Nardi Roberta , Nalotto Giulia , Serva Lorenzo , Balzan Stefania , Cardazzo Barbara , Carraro Lisa , Fontana Federico , Novelli Enrico
Published: April 2018

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRs) and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) have been investigated as rapid techniques to characterize foodborne bacteria through the analysis of the spectra of whole cells or microbial suspensions. The use of spectra collected from broth cultures could be used as a fingerprint for strain classification using a combined polyphasic approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of NIRs and UV-vis for the characterization of blue strains belonging to the Pseudomonas fluorescens group. The bacteria were isolated from different food matrices, including some spoiled samples (blue discoloration). Eightyone strains previously identified at the species level were grown in Minimal Bacterial Medium broth under standard conditions at 22°C. Two biological replicates were centrifuged in order to separate the bacterial cells from the extracellular products. Six aliquots per strain were analyzed on a small ring cup in transflectance mode (680-2500 nm, gap 2 nm). A subset of 39 strains was evaluated by UV-vis to determine changes in the spectral characteristics at 48 and 72 hours. Several chemometric approaches were tested to assess the performance of NIRs and UVvis. According to the variable importance in projection (VIP), the 1892-2020 nm spectral region showed the highest level of discrimination between blue strains and others. Additional information was provided in the 680-886 and 1454-1768 nm regions (aromatic C-H bonds) and in the 2036-2134 nm region (fatty acids). Changes in UV-vis spectral data (at 48 and 72 hours) appear to indicate the presence of phenazine and catecholic compounds in extracellular products.
Supratentorial Pure Cortical Ependymoma: An Unusual Lesion Causing Focal Motor Aware Seizure
Authors: Beniwal Manish , Mishra Ajit , Rao K. V. L. Narasinga , Vazhayil Vikas , Nandeesh Bevinahalli N. , Somanna Sampath
Published: April 2018

Ependymomas usually arise from the ependymal lining cells of the ventricular system and central canal of the spinal cord. Supratentorial ependymoma is a rare entity with the variable clinical course. In a small number of cases, ependymoma arises from supratentorial parenchyma. Only a few cases are reported in the literature. We report a case of 3-year-old girl with left frontal mass. Total removal of the mass lesion was performed without any neurological deficit. Pathological examination of the excised tumor was consistent with anaplastic ependymoma. We have discussed management strategy of this rare entity.
Role of magnetic resonance imaging in breast cancer management
Authors: Radhakrishna Selvi , Agarwal S. , Parikh Purvish M. , Kaur K. , Panwar Shikha , Sharma Shelly , Dey Ashish , Saxena K. K. , Chandra Madhavi , Sud Seema
Published: April 2018

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast is primarily used as a supplemental tool to breast screening with mammography or ultrasound. A breast MRI is mainly used for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, to help measure the size of the cancer, look for other tumors in the breast, and to check for tumors in the opposite breast. For certain women at high risk for breast cancer, a screening MRI is recommended along with a yearly mammogram. MRI is known to give some false positive results which mean more test and/or biopsies for the patient. Thus, although breast MRI is useful for women at high risk, it is rarely recommended as a screening test for women at average risk of breast cancer. Also, breast MRI does not show calcium deposits, known as micro-calcifications which can be a sign of breast cancer.
Practical consensus recommendations on management of HR + ve early breast cancer with specific reference to genomic profiling
Authors: Aggarwal A. , Vaid A. , Ramesh A. , Parikh Purvish M. , Purohit S. , Avasthi B. , Gupta S. , Ranjan S. , Kaushal V. , Salim S. , Singh R. , Minhas S. , Doval D.
Published: April 2018

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and patients are managed clinically based on ER, PR, HER2 expression, and key risk factors. The use of gene expression assays for early stage disease is already common practice. These tests have found a place in risk stratifying the heterogeneous group of stage I–II breast cancers for recurrence, for predicting chemotherapy response, and for predicting breast cancer-related mortality. Most guidelines for hormone receptor (HR)–positive early breast cancer recommend addition of adjuvant chemotherapy for most women, leading to overtreatment, which causes considerable morbidity and cost. Expert oncologist discussed about strategies of gene expression assays and aid in chemotherapy recommendations for treatment of HR + ve EBC and the expert group used data from published literature, practical experience and opinion of a large group of academic oncologists to arrive at this practical consensus recommendations for the benefit of community oncologists.
Practical consensus recommendation on when to do BRCA testing
Authors: Parikh Purvish M. , Wadhwa J. , Minhas S. , Gupta A. , Mittal S. , Ranjan S. , Mehta P. , Singh R. , Kataria S. P. , Salim S. , Ahmed M. , Aggarwal S.
Published: April 2018

BRCA-mutation associated breast cancer and to future cancer risks and sensitivity to systemic therapies. Now that rapid genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is available, BRCA mutation status can be considered when making treatment and prevention decisions for BRCA testing, BRCA mutation carriers with breast cancer. Expert group used data from published literature, practical experience, and opinion of a large group of academic oncologists, to arrive at practical consensus recommendations for use by the community oncologists.
Practical consensus recommendations regarding the management of hormone receptor positive early breast cancer in elderly women
Authors: Babu Govind , Goel A. , Agarwal S. , Gupta S. , Kumar P. , Smruti B. K. , Goel V. , Sarangi R. , Gairola M. , Aggarwal S. , Parikh Purvish K.
Published: April 2018

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death among women, and its incidence increases with age. Currently the treatment of breast cancer in older patients is almost identical to their younger counterparts. This expert group used data from published literature, practical experience and opinion of a large group of academic oncologists to arrive at these practical consensus recommendations for the benefit of community oncologists regarding the management of early breast cancer specifically in elderly women.
Weighted Distribution of Low-lying Zeros of GL(2) -functions
Authors: Knightly Andrew , Reno Caroline
Published: April 2018

We show that if the zeros of an automorphic $L$-function are weighted by the central value of the $L$-function or a quadratic imaginary base change, then for certain families of holomorphic GL(2) newforms, it has the effect of changing the distribution type of low-lying zeros from orthogonal to symplectic, for test functions whose Fourier transforms have sufficiently restricted support. However, if the $L$-value is twisted by a nontrivial quadratic character, the distribution type remains orthogonal. The proofs involve two vertical equidistribution results for Hecke eigenvalues weighted by central twisted $L$-values. One of these is due to Feigon and Whitehouse, and the other is new and involves an asymmetric probability measure that has not appeared in previous equidistribution results for GL(2).
ANÁLISE DOS EFEITOS DO CAPITAL INTELECTUAL NA LUCRATIVIDADE DAS EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Almeida Vander Ribeiro , Jordão Ricardo Vinícius Dias
Published: April 2018

A pesquisa ora descrita teve como objetivo analisar os efeitos do capital intelectual (CI) sobre a lucratividade das empresas brasileiras. Nesse ensejo, realizou-se um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e aplicado, nas companhias listadas na BM&FBovespa com base em dados secundários, em um recorte multi-setorial, durante o período de 2010 a 2014, mediante a utilização de testes empíricos (estatísticas descritivas e multivariadas), análise gráfica e regressão com dados em painel. O estudo justifica-se pela relevância do tema, dimensionando a influência do conhecimento materializado no CI sobre a lucratividade organizacional, além de inovar pela proposta de mensuração do CI desenvolvida e aplicada. Os resultados corroboram e complementam as teorias de contabilidade, finanças e gestão, comprovando que se pode aferir, através de indicadores financeiros, a contribuição do CI em aspectos do desempenho financeiro das empresas brasileiras. Os resultados revelaram que (i) o CI influência positivamente na lucratividade dessas empresas, medida por diferentes métricas; (ii) as empresas listadas na BM&FBovespa, mais intensivas em CI, apresentam lucratividade superior às demais; (iii) o CI colabora para o aumento da lucratividade, de forma sistemática, ao longo do tempo; e (iv) os setores apresentam índices de CI e lucratividade diferentes entre si.
Seasonal variation and chemical characterization of PM2.5 in northwestern Philippines
Authors: Bagtasa Gerry , Cayetano Mylene G. , Yuan Chung-Shin
Published: April 2018

Abstract. The seasonal and chemical characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were investigated in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, located at the northwestern edge of the Philippines. Each 24 h sample of fine aerosol was collected for four seasons. Fine particulate in the region shows strong seasonal variation in both concentration and composition. Highest mass concentration was seen during the boreal spring season with a mean mass concentration of 21.6 ± 6.6 µg m−3, and lowest was in fall with a mean concentration of 8.4 ± 2.3 µg m−3. Three-day wind back trajectory analysis of air mass reveals the influence of the northwestern Pacific monsoon regimes on PM2.5 concentration. During southwest monsoon, sea salt was the dominant component of fine aerosols carried by moist air from the South China Sea. During northeast monsoon, on the other hand, both wind and receptor model analysis showed that higher particulate concentration was due to the long-range transport (LRT) of anthropogenic emissions from northern East Asia. Overall, sea salt and soil comprise 33 % of total PM2.5 concentration, while local biomass burning makes up 33 %. LRT of industrial emission, solid waste burning and secondary sulfate from East Asia have a mean contribution of 34 % to the total fine particulate for the whole sampling period.
Evaluating the lower-tropospheric COSMIC GPS radio occultation sounding quality over the Arctic
Authors: Yu Xiao , Xie Feiqin , Ao Chi O.
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Lower-tropospheric moisture and temperature measurements are crucial for understanding weather prediction and climate change. Global Positioning System radio occultation (GPS RO) has been demonstrated as a high-quality observation technique with high vertical resolution and sub-kelvin temperature precision from the upper troposphere to the stratosphere. In the tropical lower troposphere, particularly the lowest 2 km, the quality of RO retrievals is known to be degraded and is a topic of active research. However, it is not clear whether similar problems exist at high latitudes, particularly over the Arctic, which is characterized by smooth ocean surface and often negligible moisture in the atmosphere. In this study, 3-year (2008–2010) GPS RO soundings from COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) over the Arctic (65–90° N) show uniform spatial sampling with average penetration depth within 300 m above the ocean surface. Over 70 % of RO soundings penetrate deep into the lowest 300 m of the troposphere in all non-summer seasons. However, the fraction of such deeply penetrating profiles reduces to only about 50–60 % in summer, when near-surface moisture and its variation increase. Both structural and parametric uncertainties of GPS RO soundings were also analyzed. The structural uncertainty (due to different data processing approaches) is estimated to be within  ∼  0.07 % in refractivity,  ∼  0.72 K in temperature, and  ∼  0.05 g kg−1 in specific humidity below 10 km, which is derived by comparing RO retrievals from two independent data processing centers. The parametric uncertainty (internal uncertainty of RO sounding) is quantified by comparing GPS RO with near-coincident radiosonde and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-Interim profiles. A systematic negative bias up to  ∼  1 % in refractivity below 2 km is only seen in the summer, which confirms the moisture impact on GPS RO quality.
Changing pattern of ice flow and mass balance for glaciers discharging into the Larsen A and B embayments, Antarctic Peninsula, 2011 to 2016
Authors: Rott Helmut , Abdel Jaber Wael , Wuite Jan , Scheiblauer Stefan , Floricioiu Dana , van Wessem Jan Melchior , Nagler Thomas , Miranda Nuno , van den Broeke Michiel R.
Published: April 2018

Abstract. We analysed volume change and mass balance of outlet glaciers on the northern
Antarctic Peninsula over the periods 2011 to 2013 and 2013 to 2016, using
high-resolution topographic data from the bistatic interferometric radar
satellite mission TanDEM-X. Complementary to the geodetic method that applies DEM
differencing, we computed the net mass balance of the main outlet glaciers
using the mass budget method, accounting for the difference between the surface
mass balance (SMB) and the discharge of ice into an ocean or ice shelf. The
SMB values are based on output of the regional climate model RACMO version
2.3p2. To study glacier flow and retrieve ice discharge we generated
time series of ice velocity from data from different satellite radar sensors,
with radar images of the satellites TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X as the main source.
The study area comprises tributaries to the Larsen A, Larsen Inlet and
Prince Gustav Channel embayments (region A), the glaciers calving into the Larsen B embayment (region B) and the glaciers draining into the remnant part of
the Larsen B ice shelf in Scar Inlet (region C). The glaciers of region A, where
the buttressing ice shelf disintegrated in 1995, and of region B (ice shelf
break-up in 2002) show continuing losses in ice mass, with significant
reduction of losses after 2013. The mass balance numbers for the grounded
glacier area of region A are −3.98 ± 0.33 Gt a−1 from
2011 to 2013 and −2.38 ± 0.18 Gt a−1 from 2013 to 2016. The
corresponding numbers for region B are −5.75 ± 0.45 and
−2.32 ± 0.25 Gt a−1. The mass balance in region C during the
two periods was slightly negative, at −0.54 ± 0.38 Gt a−1
and −0.58 ± 0.25 Gt a−1. The main share in the
overall mass losses of the region was contributed by two glaciers: Drygalski
Glacier contributing 61 % to the mass deficit of region A, and Hektoria
and Green glaciers accounting for 67 % to the mass deficit of region B.
Hektoria and Green glaciers accelerated significantly in 2010–2011,
triggering elevation losses up to 19.5 m a−1 on the lower terminus
during the period 2011 to 2013 and resulting in a mass balance of
−3.88 Gt a−1. Slowdown of calving velocities and reduced calving
fluxes in 2013 to 2016 coincided with years in which ice mélange and sea ice
cover persisted in proglacial fjords and bays during summer.
The Development of Audit Committees - A Review of the Literature on Theoretical and Global Perspective
Authors: Rizvi Lubna Javed , Alyafi Randa , Unissa Syeda Taj
Published: April 2018

The audit committee performs a pivotal role in making the right environment for quality auditing. It is the audit committee's obligation to breed an environment that encompasses an open dialogue in a culture of honesty, regard and transparency amongst management and auditors. The prime purpose of an audit committee is to provide oversight of the financial reporting process, the audit process, the system of internal controls and compliance with laws and regulations. Audit committees will consider internal controls and review their effectiveness. Since 1940, the SEC has acknowledged that an audit committee can serve a significant, and eventually essential, role in guaranteeing that a publically listed corporation financial reporting is correct. In the 1970s, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) obligated boards of directors of these listed firms to employ an audit committee. Then in the late 1980s, (Nasdaq) the National Association of Securities Dealers and (AMEX) American Stock Exchange afterward employed the audit committees. Today, innumerable practices and rules command the composition, roles, and duties of audit committees. After the Enron’s collapse, audit committee affiliates duties are enhanced and Securities Exchange Commission are investigating the board of directors and management more and more. This article provides a brief overview of audit committee’s emergence in UK and Saudi Arabia, Moreover theoretical foundations of the audit committees are also discussed.
Nursing practices in vaccination: An integrative review
Authors: Fagundes Luís Gustavo da Silva , Frota Oleci Pereira , Silva Eliete Maria
Published: April 2018

In this paper, an integrative literature review was carried out aiming to answer: what is the nursing scientific production about vaccination practice? Research conducted in the Medline, SciELO, Lilacs, BDENF, PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus databases from 2010 to 2017. A sample of 49 papers was obtained. Most of the papers were classified with level VI of evidence. The highest level found was the II, controlled and randomized studies of level III accounted for 10.20%. The papers were grouped by similarity into four thematic categories: vaccine coverage 42.86%, administration of vaccine 28.58%, vaccination education 14.28% and management/supervision 14.28%. It management/supervision and education about vaccination are highlighted in most papers. The methodology used allowed the analysis and summarization of papers with different approaches. It is evident that vaccination goes far beyond the simple fact of administering an immunobiological, requiring an extensive and complex body of knowledge, with frequent updating of health professionals, especially nurses. Vaccination actions are effective in preventing diseases, and it is important to prioritize such actions in their daily practice. In nursing vaccination practices, nurses should assert their supervisor assignment, contributing to the organization of the service, continuing education of nursing staff, planning strategies to reach the goals of vaccination, evaluating vaccination coverage, working according to the population, through their education and awareness, and contribute with the body of knowledge about vaccination.
Avaliação dos impactos ambientais do vazadouro municipal de Volta Redonda-RJ após sua desativação
Authors: Setta Bruno Rocha Silva , Carvalho Ana Cristina Malheiros Gonçalves , Saroldi Maria José Lopes de Araujo
Published: April 2018

Diante do acelerado crescimento populacional nas cidades, sobretudo de países emergentes, como o Brasil, a alternativa economicamente viável para a destinação final dos resíduos foi a construção de vazadouros a céu aberto, popularmente conhecidos como lixões. No entanto, este tipo de disposição de resíduos não é considerado ambientalmente adequado, pois pode provocar impactos à saúde pública e ao meio ambiente, tais como: a produção de chorume, líquido altamente tóxico, a emissão do gás metano, atração de animais vetores de doenças, entre outros. Dispositivos legais, como o TAC, e métodos de avaliação de impactos ambientais têm sido aplicados com objetivo de minimizar os impactos ambientais e possibilitar um potencial uso harmônico e saudável da área degradada para a população e ao meio ambiente. Neste sentido, este trabalho buscou avaliar os impactos ambientais da área do vazadouro do Município de Volta Redonda, localizado no interior do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, com o intuito de avaliar sua recuperação ambiental. Para tanto, foram realizadas entrevistas com técnicos da secretaria do meio ambiente do município, órgãos públicos ambientais, levantamento bibliográfico da área estudo e visitas de campo no local. Verificou-se que o vazadouro operou desde 1987 até 2012, gerando impactos ambientais significativos na sua área e no seu entorno, como a eutrofização do lago a montante, erosão do talude e contaminação do rio Brandão por chorume. Contudo, verificaram-se melhorias no local, como a regeneração da vegetação, restabelecimento da fauna, sobretudo de aves, e instalações construídas e direcionadas para a remediação ambiental.
In vitro Inhibition of Soilborn Phytopathogens Treated With Swine Wastewater
Authors: Martinha Danielle Dutra , Lubian Cleonice , Koech Cintia , Portz Roberto Luis , Missio Vivian Carré , Sampaio Silvio Cesar , Dieter Jonathan
Published: April 2018

Swine wastewater (SWW) is a residue from pig farming that presents a high load of nutrients and organic matter. The appliance of organic matter in soil alters the microbial dynamic and may suppress soilborn phytopathogens. This study aimed at evaluating the inhibition on mycelial growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotium rolfsii in vitro under SWW doses. Hereupon, three kilograms of a soil classified as red dystroferric latosol was collected and sieved. Half of it was autoclaved. SWW was incorporated at doses of 0 mL, 2.5 mL, 5 mL, 10 mL and 20 mL in both soil conditions, autoclaved and not autoclaved. Afterwards, 130 grams of each soil was separately put into Petri plates above what a thin layer (≅ 5 mL) of Water-Agar (2%) medium was carefully spread over. Above this agar layer, one disk (6 mm diameter) of pure mycelium from each fungal grown in Potato Dextrose Agar medium was individually placed on the center of each plate. Daily evaluations on mycelial growth measuring were taken and ended when mycelium in control plates (without SWW addition) reached plate borders. Results indicated that in autoclaved soil condition, the inhibition was proportional to the dose, what is to say that the higher the dose the less the mycelial growth. In not autoclaved soil there was no significant difference among treatments, suggesting stimuli on suppression effect for both pathogens caused by SWW. In addition, the confirmed potential of SWW as a suppressor of S. sclerotiorum and S. rolfsii leads to promising investigations on other phytopathogens hard to control.
Biological Quality Indicators of a Haplortox Soil Under Different Management Systems in Southern Brazil
Authors: Moreira Macarius Cesar Di Lauro , Secco Deonir , Zanão Júnior Luiz Antônio , Tokura Luciene Kazue , Marins Araceli Ciotti de , Pilatti Maurício Antônio , Villa Bruna De
Published: April 2018

The research was looking for the quick response of soil's microbiota to soil changes caused by management systems, changes to which biological indicators of soil quality are sensitive. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the impacts of seven soil management systems, including in on hand covers of Pennisetum glaucum (PG), Avena strigosa (AS), Stizolobium aterrimum (SA), EF Pisum sativum (PS) + Avena strigosa (AS), and on the other hand, No soil tillage with gypsum application (NTSG), No soil tillage with scarification (NTSS) and No soil tillage (NTS), on soil quality bioindicators. The bioindicators recorded from top soil samples were collected from the first 10 cm at pre-planting, at pre-flowering and at post-harvest of the soybean, from July 2014 to March 2015 were Total organic carbon (TOC), Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), Soil basal respiration, Respiratory coefficient (qCO2), Microbial coefficient (qMIC), and its relationship with soybean yields. The seven treatments were arranged in the field according to a completely randomized experimental, Analysis of variance (Anova) for each of the bioindicators and comparison of treatment mean values using Tukey test at 5% probability were carried out. SA, the AS+PS consortium and the no-tillage system led to significant improvement of the biological attributes of the soil. The management systems did not change the yield of soybean grain.
Pre-germination Treatments, Quality of Light and Temperature on Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc. Seeds Germination
Authors: Porto Jorge M. P. , Oliveira Viviane L. , Souza Michele L. , Souza Rafaeli A. V. , Soares Adriana , Braga Francyane T.
Published: April 2018

Studies show that most species of palm trees present seed dormancy. This characteristic hinders the production of seedlings, due to the long period for germination and the unevenness of the seedlings. The specie Syagrus coronata, despite being widely used as food and economic resources, presents also seed dormancy, which hinders its propagation. Thus, this work aimed at evaluating the germination of S. coronata seeds using different methods of dormancy breaking and also, under different qualities of light and temperature. To do so, the seed endocarps were scarified by friction, puncture and complete removal of the endocarp, and the pre-soaking of seeds at different concentrations (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg L-1) of gibberellic acid (GA3) and indolebutyric acid (IBA). We also evaluated the effect of germination in seeds exposed to different conditions of light (white, red, far red, blue and dark) and to different temperatures (25, 30, 35 and 20-30 °C). The data show that the act of rubbing the endocarp optimizes the seed germination process. Solutions containing growth regulators in the pre-soaking of seeds have a negative impact on germination. And the absence of light and the constant temperature of 25 °C are the most suitable for germination. The results indicate that S. coronata seeds have physical dormancy, and, despite obtaining greater germination in the dark, they are neutral photoblastic.
Phosphorus Availability for Irrigated Rice Cultivated Under No-Tillage and Different Phosphate Sources
Authors: Fortes Magali De Ávila , Sousa Rogério Oliveira de , Gomes Algenor da Silva , Schmidt Fabiana , Scivittaro Walkyria Bueno , Ferreira Luis Henrique Gularte , Teixeira Juliana Brito da Silva , Veçozzi Thaís Antonili
Published: April 2018

The objective of this work was to evaluate the response of irrigated rice to phosphate fertilization using triple superphosphate (TSP) and Arad phosphate rock (APR), and the phosphate residual effects of upland crops in no-tillage system on the following rice crop. Also, it aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Mehlich-1 and anion exchange resin as soil P extractors. Two experiments were conducted in Albaqualf soil under irrigated conditions in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul State. The experiments were designed as random blocks with four replications and the treatments were displayed as a 2 × 2 factorial (TSP and APR, with and without annual P application as TSP). No yield responses to phosphate were observed. Phosphate fertilization performed on upland crops (maize and soybeans) presented a residual effect on the rice crop even after four years of consecutive cropping under no-tillage. The extractors Mehlich-1 and AER were equally efficient in the evaluation of P availability for the rice crop. P content values obtained by both methods did show a significant correlation with accumulated plant P. The APR presents a similar performance as the TSP in regard to phosphate nutrition in irrigated rice when rotated with upland crops under no-tillage system.
Toxicity and Translocation of Selenium in Phaseolus vulgaris L.
Authors: Corbo Jessica Zuanazzi Fioritti , Coscione Aline Renee , Berton Ronaldo Severiano , Moreira Rodrigo Santos , Carbonell Sergio Augusto Morais , Chiorato Alisson Fernando
Published: April 2018

Selenium (Se) is not considered an essential nutrient for plants, although trace amounts of this element can enhance the growth and yield of some plant species. The application of sodium selenate in staple foods has been proposed as an alternative to minimize Se deficiency in the human diet. However, the threshold between deficiency and toxicity for Se is very narrow. Different plant species vary considerably in the absorption and accumulation of Se in shoots and other edible parts, and also in the tolerance to high Se concentrations in the soil. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the Se toxicity in common bean plants grown under high doses of sodium selenate, and the Se translocation of contaminated bean seeds to next generation grains. The study was carried out on a field experiment with the application of four rates of sodium selenate (0, 50, 500 and 5000 g/ha) to the soil were common bean crop was grown. Following, greenhouse conditions were used to investigate the translocation of Se from enriched seeds to the grains. The common bean showed tolerance to sodium selenate rates up to 500 g/ha, with reduction of yield observed at rate of 5000 g/ha. Even with no symptoms of toxicity the application rates of 500 g/ha of sodium selenate to the soil produced grains with concentrations of Se that surpass the limit established by Brazilian food law. The seeds enriched with Se can translocate this nutrient to the next generation.