bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time Allocation and the Life Cycle of Women and Men in Poland
Authors: Zachorowska-Mazurkiewicz Anna , Mroczek Katarzyna
Published: July 2015

The way people spend time determines the quality of their lives. Work takes a significant share of the time we have at our disposal. The allocation of time between paid and unpaid work depends on gender as well as age, and it influences women's and men's opportunities. This chapter analyses the allocation of women's and men's time between paid and unpaid work in the context of life-cycle. In the first part, economic theories concerning decision making processes about how to allocate time between market work and household are presented. The allocation of women's and men's time in distinguished age groups in Poland is analysed in the second part of the chapter. The analysis is based on time use data from research conducted by Central Statistical Office in years 2003-2004. The last part presents the logistic function that allows to determine estimated maxima of women's and men's activities both in paid and unpaid work. The analysis confirmed that time allocation depends both on gender and life-cycle.
Perceptions of nursing students regarding responsible use of social media in the Eastern Cape
Authors: Nyangeni Thando , Du Rand Suzette , Van Rooyen Dalena
Published: July 2015

Background: Social media have become a popular communication system that has transformed communication from the traditional to the Web-based model. Because social media use has no limitations to place and time, it is now used extensively at clinical facilities. Social media useis becoming a popular activity amongst students at Nursing Education Institutions (NEI) in South Africa. However, lack of accountability and unethical use of social media by nursing students in South Africa has been reported.Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of nursing students regarding responsible use of social media.Methods: A qualitative, descriptive, explorative and contextual research design was used to explore and describe the perceptions of nursing students regarding the responsible use of social media. Twelve nursing students registered for the undergraduate nursing degree were purposely selected and interviewed individually using a semi-structured interview method.Results: The results of this research study demonstrate that nursing students use socialmedia irresponsibly. Nursing students experience blurred boundaries between personal and professional lines and lack accountability when using social media.Conclusion: The extensive use of social media in the clinical environment, by healthcare students, requires a joint effort by Nursing Education Institutions and healthcare facilities to ensure that social media are used in an ethically acceptable manner. The implementation of the recommendations of this research study could positively influence legally and ethically acceptable use of social media at healthcare facilities.
Johannine research in Africa, part 2: An annotated bibliography
Authors: Van der Watt Jan G.
Published: July 2015

No annotated bibliography on the research on Johannine literature in Africa exists. This means that no proper overview of Johannine research in Africa is available. This article (as part 2 of a broader analysis) fills that lacunae by presenting a comprehensive bibliography of research done on John in Africa (combined with a proper analysis in part 1). It classifies the available research according to major topics and presents the publications in chronological order under each topic.Johannese navorsing in Afrika, deel 2: ’n Geannoteerde bibliografie. Daar bestaan geen geannoteerde bibliografie van die Johanneïese navorsing in Afrika niewat beteken dat Johannese navorsers geen behoorlike oorsig met betrekking tot bestaande navorsing het nie. Hierdie artikel (as die tweede aflewering van ’n meer omvattende analise) wil daardie leemte vul deur ’n omvattende bibliografie van die Johannese navorsing in Afrika aan te bied (gekombineer met ’n deeglike analise in deel 1). Die navorsing word volgens hooftemas geklassifiseer en chronologies onder elke tema aangebied.
Blunt traumatic diaphragmatic hernia: Pictorial review of CT signs
Authors: Kaur Ravinder , Prabhakar Anuj , Kochhar Suman , Dalal Usha
Published: July 2015

Blunt diaphragmatic rupture rarely accounts for immediate mortality and may go clinically silent until complications occur which can be life threatening. Although many imaging techniques have proven useful for the diagnosis of blunt diaphragmatic rupture, multidetector CT (MDCT) is considered to be the reference standard for the diagnosis of diaphragmatic injury. Numerous CT signs indicating blunt diaphragmatic rupture have been described in literature with variable significance. Accurate diagnosis depends upon the analysis of all the signs rather than a single sign; however, the presence of blunt diaphragmatic rupture should be considered in the presence of any of the described signs. We present a pictorial review of various CT signs used to diagnose blunt diaphragmatic injury. Multiplanar reconstruction is very useful; however, predominantly axial sections have been described in this pictorial review as the images shown are from dual-slice CT.
Endovascular treatment of thrombosed inferior vena cava filters: Techniques and short-term outcomes
Authors: Arabi Mohammad , Krishnamurthy Venkataramu , Cwikiel Wojciech , Vellody Ranjith , Wakefield Thomas W , Rectenwald John , Williams David
Published: July 2015

Purpose: To present the techniques for endovascular treatment of thrombosed filter-bearing inferior vena cavae (IVCs), along with short-term clinical and imaging follow-up. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 consecutive patients (17 females and 28 males), aged 19-79 years (mean age of 49 years), who had IVC filter placement complicated by symptomatic acute or chronic iliocaval thrombosis and underwent endovascular therapy were studied. All patients presented with lower extremity swelling and/or pain. One patient also had bilateral lower extremity swelling and chronic gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding which was secondary to chronic systemic to portal venous collaterals. Patients underwent one or more of the following endovascular treatments depending on the chronicity and extent of thrombosis: (a) catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) (n = 25), (b) pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (PMT) (n = 15), (c) balloon angioplasty (n = 45), and/or (d) stent placement across the filter (n = 42). In addition, 16 patients underwent groin arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation (36%) and 3 (7%) had femoral venous thrombectomy to improve flow in the recanalized iliac veins and IVCs. Results: Anatomical success was achieved in all patients. Follow-up was not available in 10 patients (lost to follow-up, n = 4; expired due to comorbidities, n = 2; lost to follow-up after re-intervention, n = 4). At a mean follow-up time of 13.3 months (range 1-48 months), clinical success was achieved in 27 patients (60%), i.e. in 21 patients without re-intervention and in 6 patients with re-intervention. Clinical success was not achieved despite re-intervention in eight patients. Higher clinical success was noted in patients who did not require repeat interventions (P = 0.03) and the time to re-intervention was significantly shorter in patients who had clinical failure (P = 0.01). AVF creation did not improve the clinical success rate (P = 1). There was no significant difference in clinical success between patients who had acute or subacute thrombosis compared to those who had chronically occluded filter-bearing IVCs (P = 1). Conclusion: This study suggests that endovascular therapy for thrombosed filter-bearing IVCs is safe and technically feasible.
Osteoid osteoma masquerading tubercular arthritis or osteomyelitis on MRI: Case series and review of literature
Authors: Singh Jatinder Pal , Srivastava Smita , Singh Dharmendra
Published: July 2015

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for osteoid osteoma could be misleading and can be misinterpreted as tuberculosis, especially when used as the principal modality of investigation. We retrospectively reviewed cases presenting to our institute for second opinion and selected six cases that were referred to our institute with a provisional diagnosis of tubercular arthritis or osteomyelitis and were identified to have osteoid osteoma. We reviewed the literature on typical and atypical clinical and radiological presentations of osteoid osteoma depending upon their location and present radiological features on MRI that should alert the radiologists toward a correct diagnosis.
Evaluation of static and dynamic MRI for assessing response of bone sarcomas to preoperative chemotherapy: Correlation with histological necrosis
Authors: Amit Priyadarshi , Malhotra Atul , Kumar Rahul , Kumar Lokesh , Patro Dilip Kumar , Elangovan Sundar
Published: July 2015

Objectives: Preoperative chemotherapy plays a key role in management of bone sarcomas. Postoperative evaluation of histological necrosis has been the gold standard method of assessing response to preoperative chemotherapy. This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of static and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing response preoperatively. Materials and Methods: Our study included 14 patients (12 osteosarcomas and 2 malignant fibrous histiocytomas) with mean age of 21.8 years, treated with preoperative chemotherapy followed by surgery. They were evaluated with static and dynamic MRI twice, before starting chemotherapy and again prior to surgery. Change in tumor volume and slope of signal intensity - time curve were calculated and correlated with percentage of histological necrosis using Pearson correlation test. Results: The change in dynamic MRI slope was significant (P = 0.001). Also, ≥60% reduction in slope of the curve proved to be an indicator of good histological response [positive predictive value (PPV) =80%]. Change in tumor volume failed to show significant correlation (P = 0.071). Although it showed high negative predictive value (NPV = 85.7%), PPV was too low (PPV = 57.14%). Conclusions: Dynamic MRI correctly predicts histological necrosis after administration of preoperative chemotherapy to bone sarcomas. Hence, it can be used as a preoperative indicator of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. On the other hand, volumetric assessment by static MRI is not an effective predictor of histological necrosis. This study proves the superiority of dynamic contrast-enhanced study over volumetric study by MRI.
A rare case of extra nodal Rosai-Dorfman disease with isolated multifocal osseous manifestation
Authors: Patel Maharshi H , Jambhekar Kedar R , Pandey Tarun , Ram Roopa
Published: July 2015

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) or Rosai-Dorfman disease is a non-neoplastic condition which typically presents as massive, bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy and can involve multiple extranodal organ systems such as skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract in about 28% cases. Bone lesions in association with nodal disease are seen in less than 10% cases. Isolated bone involvement as the only manifestation of SHML is extremely rare, with less than 50 cases reported in the literature. We report a very uncommon case of Rosai-Dorfman disease with isolated multifocal osseous involvement as the only presenting feature, involving about 10 different sites with no lymphadenopathy or other organ system involvement.
Pediatric multifocal liver lesions evaluated by MRI
Authors: Almotairi Majed , Oudjhane Kamaldine , Chavhan Govind B
Published: July 2015

Objective: The purpose of this study is to present our experience with MRI evaluation of multifocal liver lesions in children and describe the MRI characteristics of these lesions. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive MRI exams performed for the evaluation of multiple liver lesions between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2012 was done to note the number of lesions, the size of the largest lesion, MR signal characteristics, and background liver. Final diagnosis was assigned to each case based on pathology in the available cases and a combination of clinical features, imaging features, and follow-up in the remaining cases. Results: A total of 48 children (22 boys, 26 girls; age between 3 months and 18 years with average age 10.58 years and median age 11 years) were included in the study. Totally 51 lesion diagnoses were seen in 48 children that included 17 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), 8 hemangiomas, 7 metastases, 6 regenerative nodules, 3 adenomas, 3 abscesses, and one each of angiomyolipoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, focal fatty infiltration, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic infarction, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, and hepatic cyst. Background liver was normal in 33, cirrhotic in 10, fatty in 3, and siderotic in 2 children. Most FNH, hemangiomas, and regenerative nodules showed characteristic MRI features, while metastases were variable in signal pattern. Conclusion: Many commonly seen multifocal liver lesions in children have characteristic MRI features. MRI can help to arrive at reasonable differential diagnoses for multifocal liver lesions in children and guide further investigation and management.
Clinicoradiological appraisal of ′paraduodenal pancreatitis′: Pancreatitis outside the pancreas!
Authors: Arora Ankur , Rajesh S , Mukund Amar , Patidar Yashwant , Thapar Shalini , Arora Asit , Bhatia Vikram
Published: July 2015

Purpose: Paraduodenal pancreatitis (PP) is a unique form of focal chronic pancreatitis that selectively involves the duodenum and aberrant pancreatic tissue located near the minor papilla (beyond the pancreas proper). The pseudotumoral nature of the disease often generates considerable clinical quandary and patient apprehension, and therefore merits a better understanding. The present study appraises the clinicoradiological manifestations of PP in 33 patients. Materials and Methods: Clinical, laboratory, and radiological manifestations of 33 patients of PP treated in gastroenterology/hepatology and hepato-pancreatico-biliary surgery units during June 2010-August 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: All patients were young to middle-aged men (100%) with history of alcohol abuse (93.9%) and/or smoking (42.4%), who presented either with acute or gradually worsening abdominal pain (90.9%). Pancreatic enzymes and serum tumor markers remained normal or were mildly/transiently elevated. Cystic variant was detected in 57.6% (solid in 42.4%); the disease remained confined to the groove/duodenum (pure form) in 45.4%. Medial duodenal wall thickening with increased enhancement was seen in 87.87 and 81.81%, respectively, and duodenal/paraduodenal cysts were seen in 78.78%. Pancreatic calcifications and biliary stricture were seen 27.3% patients. Peripancreatic arteries were neither infiltrated nor encased. Conclusion: PP has a discrete predilection for middle-aged men with history of longstanding alcohol abuse and/or smoking. Distinguishing imaging findings include thickening of the pancreatic side of duodenum exhibiting increased enhancement with intramural/paraduodenal cysts. This may be accompanied by plate-like scar tissue in the groove region, which may simulate groove pancreatic carcinoma. However, as opposed to carcinoma, the peripancreatic arteries are neither infiltrated nor encased, rather are medially displaced.
Climate responses to anthropogenic emissions of short-lived climate pollutants
Authors: Baker L. H. , Collins W. J. , Olivié D. J. L. , Cherian R. , Hodnebrog Ø. , Myhre G. , Quaas J.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Policies to control air quality focus on mitigating emissions of aerosols and their precursors, and other short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). On a local scale, these policies will have beneficial impacts on health and crop yields, by reducing particulate matter (PM) and surface ozone concentrations; however, the climate impacts of reducing emissions of SLCPs are less straightforward to predict. In this paper we consider a set of idealized, extreme mitigation strategies, in which the total anthropogenic emissions of individual SLCP emissions species are removed. This provides an upper bound on the potential climate impacts of such air quality strategies. We focus on evaluating the climate responses to changes in anthropogenic emissions of aerosol precursor species: black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). We perform climate integrations with four fully coupled atmosphere–ocean global climate models (AOGCMs), and examine the effects on global and regional climate of removing the total land-based anthropogenic emissions of each of the three aerosol precursor species. We find that the SO2 emissions reductions lead to the strongest response, with all models showing an increase in surface temperature focussed in the Northern Hemisphere mid and (especially) high latitudes, and showing a corresponding increase in global mean precipitation. Changes in precipitation patterns are driven mostly by a northward shift in the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone), consistent with the hemispherically asymmetric warming pattern driven by the emissions changes. The BC and OC emissions reductions give a much weaker response, and there is some disagreement between models in the sign of the climate responses to these perturbations. These differences between models are due largely to natural variability in sea-ice extent, circulation patterns and cloud changes. This large natural variability component to the signal when the ocean circulation and sea-ice are free-running means that the BC and OC mitigation measures do not necessarily lead to a discernible climate response.
Can AERONET data be used to accurately model the monochromatic beam and circumsolar irradiances under cloud-free conditions in desert environment?
Authors: Eissa Y. , Blanc P. , Wald L. , Ghedira H.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Routine measurements of the beam irradiance at normal incidence (DNI) include the irradiance originating from within the extent of the solar disc only (DNIS) whose angular extent is 0.266° ± 1.7 %, and that from a larger circumsolar region, called the circumsolar normal irradiance (CSNI). This study investigates if the spectral aerosol optical properties of the AERONET stations are sufficient for an accurate modelling of the monochromatic DNIS and CSNI under cloud-free conditions in a desert environment. The data from an AERONET station in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and a collocated Sun and Aureole Measurement (SAM) instrument which offers reference measurements of the monochromatic profile of solar radiance, were exploited. Using the AERONET data both the radiative transfer models libRadtran and SMARTS offer an accurate estimate of the monochromatic DNIS, with a relative root mean square error (RMSE) of 5 %, a relative bias of +1 % and acoefficient of determination greater than 0.97. After testing two configurations in SMARTS and three in libRadtran for modelling the monochromatic CSNI, libRadtran exhibits the most accurate results when the AERONET aerosol phase function is presented as a Two Term Henyey–Greenstein phase function. In this case libRadtran exhibited a relative RMSE and a bias of respectively 22 and −19 % and a coefficient of determination of 0.89. The results are promising and pave the way towards reporting the contribution of the broadband circumsolar irradiance to standard DNI measurements.
Observations of thermosphere and ionosphere changes due to the dissipative 6.5-day wave in the lower thermosphere
Authors: Gan Q. , Yue J. , Chang L. C. , Wang W. B. , Zhang S. D. , Du J.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. In the current work, temperature and wind data from the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite during the years 2002–2007 were used to describe the seasonal variations of the westward propagating 6.5-day planetary wave in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). Thermospheric composition data from the TIMED satellite and ionospheric total electron content (TEC) from the International Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Service were then employed to carry out two case studies on the effect of this dissipating wave on the thermosphere/ionosphere. In both cases, there were westward anomalies of ~ 30–40 m s−1 in zonal wind in the MLT region that were caused by momentum deposition of the 6.5-day wave, which had peak activity during equinoxes. The westward zonal wind anomalies led to extra poleward meridional flows in both hemispheres. Meanwhile, there were evident overall reductions of thermospheric column density O / N2 ratio and ionospheric TEC with magnitudes of up to 16–24 % during these two strong 6.5-day wave events. Based on the temporal correlation between O / N2 and TEC reductions, as well as the extra poleward meridional circulations associated with the 6.5-day waves, we conclude that the dissipative 6.5-day wave in the lower thermosphere can cause changes in the thermosphere/ionosphere via the mixing effect, similar to the quasi-two-day wave (QTDW) as predicted by Yue and Wang (2014).
Multi-millennial-scale solar activity and its influences on continental tropical climate: empirical evidence of recurrent cosmic and terrestrial patterns
Authors: Sánchez-Sesma J.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Solar activity (SA) oscillations over the past millennia are analyzed and extrapolated based on reconstructed solar-related records. Here, simple recurrent models of SA signal are applied and tested. The consequent results strongly suggest: (a) the existence of multi-millennial (~ 9500 years) scale solar oscillations, and (b) their persistence, over at least the last glacial–interglacial cycle. This empirical modelling of solar recurrent oscillations has also provided a consequent multi-millennial-scale experimental forecast, suggesting a solar decreasing trend toward Grand (Super) Minimum conditions for the upcoming period, AD 2050–2250 (AD 3750–4450). Also, a recurrent linear influence of solar variation on continental tropical climate (CTC) has been assessed for the last 20 kyr, and extrapolated for the next centuries. Taking into account the importance of these estimated SA scenarios a comparison is made with other SA forecasts, and their possible associated astronomical forcing and influences on past and future CTC discussed.
Development of the Global Sea Ice 6.0 CICE configuration for the Met Office Global Coupled model
Authors: Rae J. G. L. , Hewitt H. T. , Keen A. B. , Ridley J. K. , West A. E. , Harris C. M. , Hunke E. C. , Walters D. N.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The new sea ice configuration GSI6.0, used in the Met Office global coupled configuration GC2.0, is described and the sea ice extent, thickness and volume are compared with the previous configuration and with observationally based data sets. In the Arctic, the sea ice is thicker in all seasons than in the previous configuration, and there is now better agreement of the modelled concentration and extent with the HadISST data set. In the Antarctic, a warm bias in the ocean model has been exacerbated at the higher resolution of GC2.0, leading to a large reduction in ice extent and volume; further work is required to rectify this in future configurations.
Evaluation of lateral boundary conditions in a regional chemical transport model
Authors: Andersson E. , Kahnert M. , Devasthale A.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Hemispheric transport of air pollutants can have a significant impact on regional air quality, as well as on the effect of air pollutants on regional climate. An accurate representation of hemispheric transport in regional chemical transport models (CTMs) depends on the specification of the lateral boundary conditions (LBCs). This study investigates the use of new LBCs of two moderately long-lived trace gases, CO and O3, for the European model domain. The LBCs are generated by use of the global EMEP MSC-W model; they are evaluated at the lateral boundaries by comparison with satellite observations of the Terra/MOPITT sensor (CO) and the Aura/OMI sensor (O3) for use with European domain calculations with the Swedish Multi-scale Atmospheric Transport and CHemistry (MATCH) model. The LBCs from the global EMEP model lie well within the satellite uncertainties for both CO and O3. The biases increase below 700 hPa for both species, although it should be noted that satellite data below this height are more influenced by a priori data and hence less reliable than at e.g. 500 hPa. CO is, on average, underestimated by the global model, while O3 tends to be overestimated during winter, and underestimated during summer. Next, the validated LBCs are applied in a dynamical and climatological setup, respectively, to the MATCH model, set up over the European domain. The MATCH results obtained with climatological and dynamic LBCs are then validated against independent satellite retrievals from the Aqua/AIRS sensor at 500 hPa, and against in situ ground observations from the Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) network. The application of the EMEP LBCs in the regional MATCH model greatly impacted the model results. The direct impact on ground-level concentrations strongly depends on the distance from the inflow boundary. The improvements of dynamic over climatological LBCs become most apparent when using AOT40 as a metric. Also, when focusing at ground observations taken near the inflow boundary of the model domain, one finds that the use of dynamical LBCs yields a more accurate representation of the seasonal variation, as well as of the variability of the trace gas concentrations on shorter time scales. The greatest impact from the new LBCs, was seen aloft in the free troposphere. Taking AIRS retrievals as a reference, the use of LBCs substantially improves spatial pattern correlations in the free troposphere as compared to results obtained with the LBCs that were originally used in MATCH. Also, the magnitude of the bias is reduced by the new LBCs for both trace gases.
Investigating temporal field sampling strategies for site-specific calibration of three soil moisture–neutron intensity parameterisation methods
Authors: Iwema J. , Rosolem R. , Baatz R. , Wagener T. , Bogena H. R.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensor (CRNS) can provide soil moisture information at scales relevant to hydrometeorological modelling applications. Site-specific calibration is needed to translate CRNS neutron intensities into sensor footprint average soil moisture contents. We investigated temporal sampling strategies for calibration of three CRNS parameterisations (modified N0, HMF, and COSMIC) by assessing the effects of the number of sampling days and soil wetness conditions on the performance of the calibration results while investigating actual neutron intensity measurements, for three sites with distinct climate and land use: a semi-arid site, a temperate grassland, and a temperate forest. When calibrated with 1 year of data, both COSMIC and the modified N0 method performed better than HMF. The performance of COSMIC was remarkably good at the semi-arid site in the USA, while the N0mod performed best at the two temperate sites in Germany. The successful performance of COSMIC at all three sites can be attributed to the benefits of explicitly resolving individual soil layers (which is not accounted for in the other two parameterisations). To better calibrate these parameterisations, we recommend in situ soil sampled to be collected on more than a single day. However, little improvement is observed for sampling on more than 6 days. At the semi-arid site, the N0mod method was calibrated better under site-specific average wetness conditions, whereas HMF and COSMIC were calibrated better under drier conditions. Average soil wetness condition gave better calibration results at the two humid sites. The calibration results for the HMF method were better when calibrated with combinations of days with similar soil wetness conditions, opposed to N0mod and COSMIC, which profited from using days with distinct wetness conditions. Errors in actual neutron intensities were translated to average errors specifically to each site. At the semi-arid site, these errors were below the typical measurement uncertainties from in situ point-scale sensors and satellite remote sensing products. Nevertheless, at the two humid sites, reduction in uncertainty with increasing sampling days only reached typical errors associated with satellite remote sensing products. The outcomes of this study can be used by researchers as a CRNS calibration strategy guideline.
Spatial characteristics of severe storms in Hong Kong
Authors: Gao L. , Zhang L. M.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. A storm may cause serious damage to infrastructures and public safety. The storm spatial distribution is an important piece of information in drainage system design and landslide hazard analysis. The primary objective of this paper is to quantify the spatial characteristics of three severe storms in Hong Kong. The maximum rolling 4, 24 and 36 h rainfall amounts of these storms are introduced firstly. Then the spatial structure of precipitation represented by semivariograms is analysed in both isotropic and anisotropic cases. Afterwards, the distribution of rainfall in spatial domain is assessed via surface trend fitting. Finally the spatial correlation of detrended residuals is determined through studying the scales of fluctuation along eight directions. The spatial distribution of the maximum rolling rainfall can be represented by a rotated ellipsoid trend surface and a random field of residuals. The principal directions of the surface trend are between 25 and 45°. The scales of fluctuation of the detrended residuals are found between 5 and 25 km according to the semivariograms and autocorrelation functions. The spatial correlations of the maximum rolling rainfall are affected by the rainfall duration. The scale of fluctuation becomes smaller as the rainfall duration increases. Such spatial characteristics are related to the local terrain and meteorology factors.
Importance of maximum snow accumulation for summer low flows in humid catchments
Authors: Jenicek M. , Seibert J. , Zappa M. , Staudinger M. , Jonas T.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The expected increase of air temperature will increase the ratio of liquid to solid precipitation during winter and, thus decrease the amount of snow, especially in mid-elevation mountain ranges across Europe. The decrease of snow will affect groundwater recharge during spring and might cause low streamflow values in the subsequent summer period. To evaluate these potential climate change impacts, we investigated the effects of inter-annual variations in snow accumulation on summer low flow and addressed the following research questions: (1) how important is snow for summer low flows and how long is the "memory effect" in catchments with different elevations? (2) How sensitive are summer low flows to any change of winter snowpack? To find suitable predictors of summer low flow we used long time series from 14 alpine and pre-alpine catchments in Switzerland and computed different variables quantifying winter and spring snow conditions. We assessed the sensitivity of individual catchments to the change of maximum snow water equivalent (SWEmax) using the non-parametric Theil–Sen approach as well as an elasticity index. In general, the results indicated that maximum winter snow accumulation influenced summer low flow, but could only partly explain the observed inter-annual variations. One other important factor was the precipitation between maximum snow accumulation and summer low flow. When only the years with below average precipitation amounts during this period were considered, the importance of snow accumulation as a predictor of low flows increased. The slope of the regression between SWEmax and summer low flow and the elasticity index both increased with increasing mean catchment elevation. This indicated a higher sensitivity of summer low flow to snow accumulation in alpine catchments compared to lower elevation catchments.
Hydrologic sensitivity of flood runoff and inundation: 2011 Thailand floods in the Chao Phraya River basin
Authors: Sayama T. , Tatebe Y. , Iwami Y. , Tanaka S.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The Thailand floods in 2011 caused unprecedented economic damage in the Chao Phraya River basin. To diagnose the flood hazard characteristics, this study analyses the hydrologic sensitivity of flood runoff and inundation to rainfall. The motivation is to address why the seemingly insignificant monsoon rainfall, or 1.2 times more rainfall than for past large floods, including the ones in 1995 and 2006, resulted in such devastating flooding. To quantify the hydrologic sensitivity, this study simulated long-term rainfall–runoff and inundation for the entire river basin (160 000 km2). The simulation suggested that the flood inundation volume was 1.6 times more in 2011 than for the past flood events. Furthermore, the elasticity index suggested that a 1 % increase in rainfall causes a 2.3 % increase in runoff and a 4.2 % increase in flood inundation. This study highlights the importance of sensitivity quantification for a better understanding of flood hazard characteristics; the presented basin-wide rainfall–runoff–inundation simulation was an effective approach to analyse the sensitivity of flood runoff and inundation at the river basin scale.
Expanding the validity of the ensemble Kalman filter without the intrinsic need for inflation
Authors: Bocquet M. , Raanes P. N. , Hannart A.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is a powerful data assimilation method meant for high-dimensional nonlinear systems. But its implementation requires fixes such as localization and inflation. The recently developed finite-size ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF-N) does not require multiplicative inflation meant to counteract sampling errors. Aside from the practical interest of avoiding the tuning of inflation in perfect model data assimilation experiments, it also offers theoretical insights and a unique perspective on the EnKF. Here, we revisit, clarify and correct several key points of the EnKF-N derivation. This simplifies the use of the method, and expands its validity. The EnKF is shown to not only rely on the observations and the forecast ensemble but also on an implicit prior assumption, termed hyperprior, that fills in the gap of missing information. In the EnKF-N framework, this assumption is made explicit through a Bayesian hierarchy. This hyperprior has been so far chosen to be the uninformative Jeffreys' prior. Here, this choice is revisited to improve the performance of the EnKF-N in the regime where the analysis strongly relaxes to the prior. Moreover, it is shown that the EnKF-N can be extended with a normal-inverse-Wishart informative hyperprior that additionally introduces climatological error statistics. This can be identified as a hybrid 3D-Var/EnKF counterpart to the EnKF-N.
Steep unidirectional wave groups – fully nonlinear simulations vs. experiments
Authors: Shemer L. , Ee B. K.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. A method was developed to carry out detailed qualitative comparison of fully nonlinear computations with the measurements of unidirectional wave groups. Computational results on evolving wave groups were compared with the available experiments. The local surface elevation variation, evolution of envelope shapes, the velocity of propagation of the steepest crests in the group and their relation to the height of the crests were obtained numerically and experimentally. Conditions corresponding to incipient wave breaking were investigated in greater detail. The results shed additional light on the limits of applicability of the computational results, as well as on mechanisms leading to the breaking of steep waves.
Revisiting the statistical analysis of pyroclast density and porosity data
Authors: Bernard B. , Kueppers U. , Ortiz H.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Explosive volcanic eruptions are commonly characterized based on a thorough analysis of the generated deposits. Amongst other characteristics in physical volcanology, density and porosity of juvenile clasts are some of the most frequently used to constrain eruptive dynamics. In this study, we evaluate the sensitivity of density and porosity data to statistical methods and introduce a weighting parameter to correct issues raised by the use of frequency analysis. Results of textural investigation can be biased by clast selection. Using statistical tools as presented here, the meaningfulness of a conclusion can be checked for any data set easily. This is necessary to define whether or not a sample has met the requirements for statistical relevance, i.e. whether a data set is large enough to allow for reproducible results. Graphical statistics are used to describe density and porosity distributions, similar to those used for grain-size analysis. This approach helps with the interpretation of volcanic deposits. To illustrate this methodology, we chose two large data sets: (1) directed blast deposits of the 3640–3510 BC eruption of Chachimbiro volcano (Ecuador) and (2) block-and-ash-flow deposits of the 1990–1995 eruption of Unzen volcano (Japan). We propose the incorporation of this analysis into future investigations to check the objectivity of results achieved by different working groups and guarantee the meaningfulness of the interpretation.
Strain localization in brittle–ductile shear zones: fluid-abundant vs. fluid-limited conditions (an example from Wyangala area, Australia)
Authors: Spruzeniece L. , Piazolo S.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. This study focuses on physiochemical processes occurring in a brittle–ductile shear zone at both fluid-present and fluid-limited conditions. In the studied shear zone (Wyangala, SE Australia), a coarse-grained two-feldspar–quartz–biotite granite is transformed into a medium-grained orthogneiss at the shear zone margins and a fine-grained quartz–muscovite phyllonite in the central parts. The orthogneiss displays cataclasis of feldspar and crystal-plastic deformation of quartz. Quartz accommodates most of the deformation and is extensively recrystallized, showing distinct crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO). Feldspar-to-muscovite, biotite-to-muscovite and albitization reactions occur locally at porphyroclasts' fracture surfaces and margins. However, the bulk rock composition shows very little change in respect to the wall rock composition. In contrast, in the shear zone centre quartz occurs as large, weakly deformed porphyroclasts in sizes similar to that in the wall rock, suggesting that it has undergone little deformation. Feldspars and biotite are almost completely reacted to muscovite, which is arranged in a fine-grained interconnected matrix. Muscovite-rich layers contain significant amounts of fine-grained intermixed quartz with random CPO. These domains are interpreted to have accommodated most of the strain. Bulk rock chemistry data show a significant increase in SiO2 and depletion in NaO content compared to the wall rock composition. We suggest that the high- and low-strain microstructures in the shear zone represent markedly different scenarios and cannot be interpreted as a simple sequential development with respect to strain. Instead, we propose that the microstructural and mineralogical changes in the shear zone centre arise from a local metasomatic alteration around a brittle precursor. When the weaker fine-grained microstructure is established, the further flow is controlled by transient porosity created at (i) grain boundaries in fine-grained areas deforming by grain boundary sliding (GBS) and (ii) transient dilatancy sites at porphyroclast–matrix boundaries. Here a growth of secondary quartz occurs from incoming fluid, resulting in significant changes in bulk composition and eventually rheological hardening due to the precipitation-related increase in the mode and grain size of quartz. In contrast, within the shear zone margins the amount of fluid influx and associated reactions is limited; here deformation mainly proceeds by dynamic recrystallization of the igneous quartz grains. The studied shear zone exemplifies the role of syn-deformational fluids and fluid-induced reactions on the dominance of deformation processes and subsequent contrasting rheological behaviour at micron to metre scale.
Antioxidant properties of caroot juices and their impact on intestinal and probiotic bacteria
Authors: Duda-Chodak Aleksandra , Tarko Tomasz , Wajda Łukasz , Kręcioch Bożena
Published: July 2015

There is a growing interest in non-dairy probiotic products. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of juice prepared from 15 various cultivars of carrot on the growth of representatives of human intestinal microbiota (Bifidobacterium catenulatum, Escherichia coli) and probiotic strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Lactobacillus casei 01). Carrot juice was added to liquid medium at a final concentration of 5.0% and their impact on the bacteria number was assessed by measurement of the turbidity after 24 h of culture. The number of cells was expressed as % of positive control (medium without juice addition). Juices prepared from all tested cultivars of carrot inhibited the growth of Bifidobacterium catenulatum, and the strongest inhibitory effect was observed for juices obtained from the 'Kongo F1' cultivar (3.40 ±2.85% of positive control), 'Rumba F1'(4.17 ±2.27%) and 'Broker F1' (5.35 ±2.14%). The majority of tested juices also inhibited the growth of E. coli, but those prepared from the 'Niland F1', 'Napa F1', 'Afro F1'and 'Samba F1' cultivars stimulated the growth of this bacterium. The probiotic strains were less sensitive to carrot juice impact than intestinal species, however both stimulation and inhibition could be observed. Juices made from the cultivars 'Kongo F1' and 'Deep Purple F1' acted negatively on the growth of both probiotic strains, while juice from 'Bangor F1' cultivar inhibited L. casei 01 growth, but stimulated the growth of LA-5. The obtained results suggest that 'Kongo F1' and 'Deep Purple F1' cultivars are not suitable as an additive or raw material for the production of probiotic products, because of their inhibitory properties against probiotic strains. Concluding, carrots can be used as raw material for the production of probiotic beverages, however both the cultivar of carrot and the strains of probiotic bacteria used for the production should be selected carefully. The most suitable for production of probiotic beverages seems to be the 'Rumba F1', followed by the 'Polka F1' and 'Yellowstone F1' cultivars. They inhibited the growth of intestinal bacteria, which are undesirable in the final product, without negative effect on the probiotic species.
Lipid oxidation in chicken meat after application of bee pollen extract, propolis extract and probiotic in their diets
Authors: Bobko Marek , Haščí­k Peter , Bobková Alica , Pavelková Adriana , Tkáčová Jana , Trembecká Lenka
Published: July 2015

In the experiment, the effect of the addition of bee pollen, propolis extract and probiotic in a feed mixture for chicken broilers Ross 308 on oxidative stability of breast and thigh muscles during chilled storage was investigated. In the experiment were included 180 pieces of one day-old chicks, which were divided into 4 groups (control, E1, E2 and E3). Chickens were fed by ad libitum system until the age of 42 days. These feed mixtures were made without antibiotics preparation and coccidiostats. Bee pollen extract in amount of 400 mg.kg-1 (E1), propolis extract in an amount of 400 mg.kg-1 (E2) was added into feed mixtures and probiotic (Lactobacillus fermentum) (E3) in an amount 3.3 g added daily to the water given the experimental group. During whole period of chilled storage were higher values of MDA determined in control group compare to experimental groups. The higher average MDA value determined in breast muscels of broiler chicken hybrid combination Ross 308 was in samples of control group (0.129 mg.kg-1) compared to experimental groups E1, E3 (0.125 mg.kg-1) and E2 (0.115 mg.kg-1) after 7-day of chilled storage. Significantly higher values of MDA were determined in control group compare to second experimental group on the end of storage. Trend of thigh muscle oxidation stability of chicken hybrid combination Ross 308 was during 7 days of chilled storage similar than in breast muscle. The higher average MDA value determined in thigh muscels was in samples of control group (0.142 mg.kg-1) compared to experimental groups E1 (0.137 mg.kg-1), E2 (0.125 mg.kg-1) and E3 (0.138 mg.kg-1) after 7-day of chilled storage. We have not determined statistically significant differences between testing groups on the end of storage. Higher amount of MDA in thigh muscle compare to breast muscle is due to by higher amount of fat occurred in thigh muscle.
REACTIVE COMPATIBILIZATION OF THE BLENDS OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE AND POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE RUBBER
Authors: Gopi Jineesh Ayippadath , Nando Golok Bihari
Published: July 2015

The effect of ethylene-co-methacrylate (EMA) as polymeric chemical compatibilizer on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, phase morphology, adhesion, and rheological properties of the blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)–polydimethylsiloxane rubber (PDMS) was investigated at different blend ratios. Melt blending technique was used to prepare the compatibilized blends. Enhancement of the mechanical properties and the reduction of dispersed PDMS domain size in the alloy confirmed the compatibilization effect of EMA on TPU-PDMS blends. Dynamic mechanical properties such as storage modulus, loss modulus, and the damping factor were evaluated to assess the compatibilization effect of EMA on TPU-PDMS blends. Creep tests revealed that compatibilization led to better dimensional stability. Compatibilized blends with finer PDMS rubber domains showed relatively less reduction in storage modulus as compared with uncompatibilized blends during stress relaxation studies. Rheological analysis suggested that the incorporation of EMA decreased the interfacial slip between the blend constituents, and this also confirmed the compatibilization effect of EMA on TPU-PDMS rubber blends as a polymeric reactive compatibilizer.
Variations in the Toxic Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons to Isochrysis galbana under Different Environmental Factors
Authors: Chen Jianming , Li Yongqian , Tang Xuexi , Xiao Hui
Published: July 2015

In order to study the toxic effect of petroleum hydrocarbons on marine phytoplankton, Isochrysis galbana was investigated by using the index of 96 h-EC50 and population growth. The results showed that the 96 h-EC50 increased significantly (P＜0.05) when temperature rising from 15℃ to 25℃. The intrinsic growth rates (r) increased but the time to enter into the stationary phase shortened from 15℃ to 25℃, and the carrying capability (K) reached highest at 20℃. In addition, the 96 h-EC50 in the salinity of 31 is higher than that in other salinities and the carrying capability reached the highest level. Moreover, the 96 h-EC50 increased when the pH changing from 6.5 to 8.1, but decreased when the pH more than 8.1. The results also show that the maximum (K) and (r), and the shortest time into stationary phases in the natural pH of seawater. It shows the minimum (K) in the low pH of 6.5. There is no significant (P＞0.05) between pH7.5 and pH 8.5. In conclusion, temperature, pH and salinity did influence the toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbon to the microalgae (I. galbana).