bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of instrument‐specific response on the analysis of fulvic acid fluorescence spectra
Authors: Cory Rose M. , Miller Matthew P. , McKnight Diane M. , Guerard Jennifer J. , Miller Penney L.
Published: August 2016

Fluorescence spectroscopy has been extensively employed to characterize the source, age, and reactivity of aquatic dissolved organic matter (DOM). However, there is no consensus on the protocols for collecting and correcting DOM fluorescence spectra for the instrument‐specific response associated with each component on a fluorometer involved in the excitation of DOM and the resulting detection of DOM emission. The central objective of this study was to evaluate the removal of instrument‐specific response from DOM fluorescence spectra collected on three different fluorometers using manufacturer‐provided emission and excitation correction files. We evaluated criteria and protocols for comparison of removal of instrument response, using quinine sulfate, a well‐characterized fluorophore, as well as the International Humic Substance Society's microbially and terrestrially derived reference end‐member fulvic acids: Pony Lake and Suwannee River fulvic acids, respectively. Our results demonstrate that sample spectra collected on different fluorometers differed significantly before correction. Although the effectiveness of manufacturer‐provided correction factors in removal of instrument response from sample spectra varied by instrument, spectral overlap of the same sample on multiple instruments improved after correction. Our results suggest that conclusions based on analysis of trends within a dataset of DOM fluorescence spectra should be expected to be independent of the fluorometer employed.
A simple, binary classification algorithm for the detection of Trichodesmium spp. within the Great Barrier Reef using MODIS imagery
Authors: McKinna Lachlan I.W. , Furnas Miles J. , Ridd Peter V.
Published: August 2016

A binary classification algorithm to detect the presence of high surface concentrations of the nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacterium Trichodesmium spp. was developed for high spatial resolution (250 m) imagery of the Moderate‐resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Above‐water hyperspectral radiometric measurements of dense Trichodesmium surface aggregations (>10 µg/L Chlorophyll a) showed that the water‐leaving radiance Lw at wavelengths greater than 700 nm were much higher in magnitude (>0.05 W m−2sr−1) relative to the visible wavelengths 400–700 nm (<0.03 W m−2sr−1). The binary classification algorithm is based on three criteria. The first criteria relied on the difference in magnitude between the MODIS normalized water‐leaving radiance (nLw) at the 859 and 678 nm wavebands. The magnitude of the nLw at the 555 and 645 nm wavebands relative to nLw 678 nm waveband formed the second and third criteria, respectively. The classification algorithm was tested on a small subset of 13 MODIS images with corresponding Trichodesmium sea‐truths and yielded an 85% accuracy. Fine‐scale features consistent with dense Trichodesmium surface aggregations, such as eddy swirls and windrows, appear to be well represented with the algorithm results. The algorithm was also found to be robust in the presence of highly reflective, potential confounding effects.
Simple equations to estimate ratios of new or export production to total production from satellite‐derived estimates of sea surface temperature and primary production
Authors: Laws Edward A. , D'Sa Eurico , Naik Puneeta
Published: August 2016

Two simple equations with sea surface temperature and total primary production as independent variables were used to estimate ratios of new or export production to total primary production (ef‐ratios) in the ocean. Both equations assume that ef‐ratios are negatively correlated with temperature in a linear manner and positively correlated with total primary production in a curvilinear manner characteristic of a Holling type II function. The two equations were parameterized based on different sets of field data: in one case entirely from estimates of new production based on nitrate uptake, and in the other case based on a comprehensive summary of new and export production estimates derived from a combination of techniques. Estimates of global export production based on satellite observations and use of the two equations were 9–13 Gt C per year. The form of both equations likely captures the principal effects of temperature and total production on ef‐ratios, and their mathematical simplicity should facilitate their prognostic application in climate change research and studies of the ocean's carbon cycle.
GEOTRACES radium isotopes interlaboratory comparison experiment
Authors: Charette Matthew A. , Dulaiova Henrieta , Gonneea Meagan E. , Henderson Paul B. , Moore Willard S. , Scholten Jan C. , Pham M.K.
Published: August 2016

In anticipation of the international GEOTRACES program, which will study the global marine biogeochemistry of trace elements and isotopes, we conducted a multi‐lab intercomparison for radium isotopes. The intercomparison was in two parts involving the distribution of: (1) samples collected from four marine environments (open ocean, continental slope, shelf, and estuary) and (2) a suite of four reference materials prepared with isotopic standards (circulated to participants as ‘unknowns’). Most labs performed well with 228Ra and 224Ra determination, however, there were a number of participants that reported 226Ra, 223Ra, and 228Th (supported 224Ra) well outside the 95% confidence interval. Many outliers were suspected to be a result of poorly calibrated detectors, though other method specific factors likely played a role (e.g., detector leakage, insufficient equilibration). Most methods for radium analysis in seawater involve a MnO2 fiber column preconcentration step; as such, we evaluated the extraction efficiency of this procedure and found that it ranged from an average of 87% to 94% for the four stations. Hence, nonquantitative radium recovery from seawater samples may also have played a role in lab‐to‐lab variability.
Improvements to 232‐thorium, 230‐thorium, and 231‐protactinium analysis in seawater arising from GEOTRACES intercalibration
Authors: Auro Maureen E. , Robinson Laura F. , Burke Andrea , Bradtmiller Louisa I. , Fleisher Martin Q. , Anderson Robert F.
Published: August 2016

The GEOTRACES program requires the analysis of large numbers of seawater samples for 232Th, 230Th, and 231Pa. During the GEOTRACES international intercalibration exercise, we encountered unexpected difficulties with recovery and contamination of these isotopes, 232Th in particular. Experiments were carried out to identify the source of these issues, leading to a more streamlined and efficient procedure. The two particular problems that we identified and corrected were (1) frits in columns supplied by Bio‐Rad Laboratories caused loss of Th during column chemistry and (2) new batches of AG1‐X8 resin supplied by Bio‐Rad Laboratories released more than 100 pg of 232Th during elution of sample. To improve yields and blanks, we implemented a series of changes including switching to Eichrom anion exchange resin (100‐200 µm mesh) and Environmental Express columns. All Th and Pa samples were analyzed on a Neptune multi‐collector inductively‐coupled‐plasma mass spectrometer (MC‐ICP‐MS) using peak hopping of 230Th and 229Th on the central SEM, with either 232Th, 236U (or both) used to monitor for beam intensity. We used in‐house laboratory standards to check for machine reproducibility, and the GEOTRACES intercalibration standard to check for accuracy. Over a 1‐y period, the 2 s.d. reproducibility on the GEOTRACES SW STD 2010‐1 was 2.5% for 230Th, 1.8% for 232Th, and 4% for 231Pa. The lessons learned during this intercalibration process will be of value to those analyzing U‐Th‐Pa and rare earth elements as part of the GEOTRACES program as well as those using U‐series elements in other applications that require high yields and low blanks, such as geochronology.
Quenching correction for in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence acquired by autonomous platforms: A case study with instrumented elephant seals in the Kerguelen region (Southern Ocean)
Authors: Xing Xiaogang , Claustre Hervé , Blain Stéphane , D'Ortenzio Fabrizio , Antoine David , Ras Josephine , Guinet Christophe
Published: August 2016

As the proxy for Chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration, thousands of fluorescence profiles were measured by instrumented elephant seals in the Kerguelen region (Southern Ocean). For accurate retrieval of Chl a concentrations acquired by in vivo fluorometer, a two‐step procedure is applied: 1) A predeployment intercalibration with accurate determination by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, which not only calibrates fluorescence in appropriate Chl a concentration units, but also strongly reduces variability between fluorometers, and 2) a profile‐by‐profile quenching correction analysis, which effectively eliminates the fluorescence quenching issue at surface around noon, and results in consistent profiles between day and night. The quenching correction is conducted through an extrapolation of the deep fluorescence value toward surface. As proved by a validation procedure in the Western Mediterranean Sea, the correction method is practical and relatively reliable when there is no credible reference, especially for deep mixed waters, as in the Southern Ocean. Even in the shallow mixed waters, the method is also effective in reducing the influence of quenching.
Miniature thermistor chain for determining surficial sediment porewater advection
Authors: Fram Jonathan P. , Pawlak Geno R. , Sansone Francis J. , Glazer Brian T. , Hannides Angelos K.
Published: August 2016

A miniature thermistor chain (mTc) was developed to measure the subdiurnal variability of temperature in the upper layers of subtidal coastal permeable (sandy) sediments and across the sediment‐water interface (SWI). The mTc has 15 precision thermistors (0.002°C accuracy) attached by narrow tines to a stainless steel backbone that connects to an electronics module, all of which is buried in the top 20 cm of the sediment. Instrument performance was tested by deploying the mTc in nearshore permeable sediment at the Kilo Nalu Observatory, Oahu, Hawaii over an 80‐d period. The mTc reached thermal equilibrium with the adjoining sediment within a few days after deployment and then recorded the advective propagation of the sub‐daily water‐column temperature variation into the sediment. The data produced are consistent with predicted effects of surface waves on advective porewater transport: transport rate increased with wave height and decreased with depth below the SWI, and temperature time lag increased with depth below the SWI. Data from an independent, more deeply buried thermistor are in good agreement with the mTc time‐series data, showing attenuated temperature variability and similar (but longer, as expected) thermal time lags. Because thermal variations in surficial sediments is dominated by advection in wavy environments, mTc subdiurnal temperature propagation data can be used to calculate advective transport across the SWI and as deep as 20 cm into the sediment (i.e., over depths where advection dominates over thermal diffusion).
Controls on the abiotic exchange between aqueous sulfate and water under laboratory conditions
Authors: Rennie Victoria C. F. , Turchyn Alexandra V.
Published: August 2016

The oxygen atoms in sulfate are known to exchange with water at low pH and at high temperature; however, it is unclear what the timescale for exchange is for the pH and temperature conditions commonly experienced in the laboratory. We present a time series of sulfate‐oxygen isotope data for solutions with two different sulfate concentrations (28 mM and 11 mM), at a range of low to intermediate pH values (1 to 5), using both hydrochloric and acetic acid. Using water enriched in 18O, we show that there is negligible exchange of oxygen atoms between sulfate and water over the course of 390 days. We use the external uncertainty in these results to calculate a lower bound estimate on the timescale for oxygen isotope exchange under these conditions. The lower bound of the timescale for oxygen isotope exchange between sulfate and water at laboratory pH is ~2 × 105 hours (~25 y), which is broadly in agreement with previous estimates. This result validates the use of δ18OSO4 as geochemical tool for a variety of solutions that are subjected to low pH at room temperature.
Assessment and comparison of Anopore and cross flow filtration methods for the determination of dissolved iron size fractionation into soluble and colloidal phases in seawater
Authors: Fitzsimmons Jessica N. , Boyle Edward A.
Published: August 2016

The two most frequently used methods for determining the size fractionation of dissolved iron (dFe) in seawater, 0.02 µm pore size Anopore membrane filtration and cross flow filtration using a 10 kDa regenerated cellulose filter, were evaluated and compared. Anopore filtration was found to produce consistent soluble Fe (sFe) concentrations in the filtrate even after > 1 L unfiltered seawater was filtered, indicating that clogging is not an issue for typical open ocean filtration volumes. Cross flow filtration (CFF) only achieved a 70% to 75% mass balance regardless of flow rate and seawater preconditioning; however, Fe losses arose largely from the colloidal (not soluble) size fraction, and Fe loss was constrained to Fe clogging in/on the CFF membrane. Both Anopore membrane and cross flow filtration methods reproducibly size fractionated dFe in seawater samples. Additionally, sFe arising from these two filtration methods were compared for the first time using seawater samples from the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. sFe from CFF was always lower than sFe from Anopore filtration, with the ratio of sFe in CFF/Anopore filtration averaging 68 ± 23% (n = 23). This sFe difference is attributed to a combination of the smaller effective pore size of the regenerated cellulose CFF system and the spatial variability in the concentration and composition of dFe in the 10 kDa ‐ 0.02 µm size fraction. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of each method were reviewed to offer future users a suite of factors with which to choose their ideal ultrafiltration method.
Improving the optimization solution for a semi‐analytical shallow water inversion model in the presence of spectrally correlated noise
Authors: Garcia Rodrigo A. , McKinna Lachlan I.W. , Hedley John D. , Fearns Peter R.C.S.
Published: August 2016

In coastal regions, shallow water semi‐analytical inversion algorithms may be used to derive geophysical parameters such as inherent optical properties (IOPs), water column depth, and bottom albedo coefficients by inverting sensor‐derived sub‐surface remote sensing reflectance, rrs. The uncertainties of these derived geophysical parameters due to instrumental and environmental noise can be estimated numerically via the addition of spectral noise to the sensor‐derived rrs before inversion. Repeating this process multiple times allows the calculation of the standard error and average for each derived parameter. Apart from spectral non‐uniqueness, the optimization algorithm employed in the inversion must converge onto a single minimum to obtain a true representation of the uncertainty for a given set of noise‐perturbed rrs. Failure to do so inflates the uncertainty and affects the average retrieved value (accuracy). We show that the standard approach of seeding the optimization with an arbitrary, fixed initial guess, can lead to the convergence to multiple minima, each having substantially different centroids in multi‐parameter solution space. We present the Update‐Repeat Levenberg‐Marquardt (UR‐LM) and Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) routines that dynamically search the solution space for an optimal initial guess, that when applied to the optimization allows convergence to the best local minimum. We apply the UR‐LM and LHS methods on HICO‐derived and simulated rrs and demonstrate the improved computational efficiency, precision, and accuracy afforded from these methods compared with the standard approach. Conceptually, these methods are applicable to remote sensing based, shallow water or oceanic semi‐analytical inversion algorithms requiring nonlinear least squares optimization.
The determination of pH in hypersaline lakes with a conventional combination glass electrode
Authors: Golan Rotem , Gavrieli Ittai , Lazar Boaz , Ganor Jiwchar
Published: August 2016

pH in natural waters is commonly measured with a pH glass combination electrode. This method, however, yields accurate results only in low ionic strength solutions whereas its application to high ionic strength solutions "suffers" from bias introduced mainly by liquid junction potential. The determination of pH in high ionic strength solutions was conducted with dual ion selective electrodes systems that are liquid‐junction‐free. In the present work, we provide a method for determining the pH over a very wide range of ionic strengths using a conventional glass pH electrode. The method is based on calibrating the signal of the conventional combination glass electrode against the signal of a liquid‐junction‐free H+|Cl‐ electrode pair. The calibration was conducted on the Dead Sea brine and its dilutions with deionized water. It yielded a pH correction function of ionic strength, ΔpH(I), that allows evaluating the pH of Dead Sea brines and other brines of similar compositions using a regular glass combination pH electrode, over an ionic strength range of ~1‐10 m. A pH measurement of the Dead Sea brine with a conventional combination glass electrode yielded a value of 6.26 ± 0.04 after applying the ΔpH(I) correction function, identical to the 6.27 ± 0.03 value obtained by the liquid‐junction‐free H+|Cl‐ electrode pair.
Reproductive Health and Child Health Profile in the Field Practice Area of RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Manjunatha Shashikala , Ramya KS
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Reproductive health, child health and nutrition are core priorities for any country, more so for India, with the world's greatest burden of maternal, newborn, and child deaths.

Objectives

To assess the reproductive health and child (under 5 years) health profile of the defined population using reproductive health and child health indicators in the field practice area of RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital.

Materials and methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women of reproductive age group (15–49) using a pretested and semistructured questionnaire which included reproductive health and child health indicators.

Method of analysis

Data ware analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

Results

Among 658 mothers, 60% were using family planning methods, 63% of mothers had full antenatal check-up and 80% had institutional delivery. Around 80% of the children between 12 and 23 months were fully immunized, 60% of children were exclusively breastfed. Ninety-two percent of the women had heard of HIV/AIDS.

Conclusion

Awareness and utilization of various reproductive and child health services among the women of reproductive age group was found to be far from satisfactory and, hence, there is a need to raise the awareness in this regard through effective information, education and communication (IEC) activities.

How to cite this article

Manjunatha S, Ramya KS. Reproductive Health and Child Health Profile in the Field Practice Area of RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru: A Descriptive Study. J Med Sci 2015;1(2):27-31.
Closed Pan-talar Dislocation with Posterior Talar Process Fracture
Authors: Kumar M Pramod , Gopinath KM , Kumar BN Roshan , Balaji GA Gautham
Published: August 2016

Total dislocation of the talus has been reported as 0.06% of all dislocations and 2% of all talar fractures. It usually occurs from considerable violence. Total dislocation of the talus is frequently an open injury, or the skin may be tented over the dislocated talus leading to skin slough. Closed total dislocation of talus with posterior process injury is rare. The functional prognosis is poor due to osteonecrosis of the talus which develops in the majority of cases. Review of literature reported successful closed reduction in cases of closed pan-talar dislocation under anesthesia. However, there were few cases where there was difficulty in closed reduction. Operative technique has also been described in different reports of similar cases.

Case report

We present a case of pan-talar dislocation of the left talus in a 25-year-old road accident victim, with posterior talar process fracture. Reduction of dislocation was attempted in emergency department by external manipulation. Reduction process failed, and hence planned for reduction under anesthesia. It required a open reduction after a unsuccessful closed reduction attempt. The talus after reduction was found to be unstable hence, stabilized with trans-calcaneotalar Steinmann pin. At 1-year follow-up, the right ankle was pain free and stable. Motion was satisfactory. The talus after a follow-up of 1 year did not show any signs of subluxation or avascular necrosis.

Conclusion

The main obstacle to closed reduction appeared to be talus had button holed through dorsal fascia. The talus after reduction was found to be unstable hence stabilized with trans-calcaneotalar Steinmann pin. The management of the associated fracture will depend on many factors, particularly displacement of the fracture fragments.

How to cite this article

Kumar MP, Gopinath KM, Kumar BNR, Balaji GAG. Closed Pan-talar Dislocation with Posterior Talar Process Fracture. J Med Sci 2015;1(2):32-35.
Hereditary Elliptocytosis
Authors: Sharmila PS , LNU Kannupriya , Paul MF
Published: August 2016

Hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) is a group of disorders characterized by the presence of elliptical-shaped erythrocytes on peripheral blood smear. Hereditary elliptocytosis and its related disorders are characterized by clinical, biochemical, and genetic heterogeneity. Manifestations range from the asymptomatic carrier state to severe, transfusion dependent hemolytic anemia. Abnormalities of various membrane protein defects contribute to mechanical defects of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton. We present a rare case of HE, an incidental finding without any clinical symptoms related to it. We also discuss on pathophysiology and being.

How to cite this article

Sharmila PS, Kannupriya, Paul MF. Hereditary Elliptocytosis. J Med Sci 2015;1(2):41-43.
An Unusual Case of Carcinoma Ex-pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parotid Gland: A Comprehensive Clinicopathological Review
Authors: Harish K , Sharmila PS , Shashikala K , Jeychandran Padmini
Published: August 2016

Carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (CaxPA) is a carcinoma arising from a primary or recurrent benign pleomorphic adenoma (PA). It presents approximately 11.6% of all malignant neoplasms of salivary gland and mostly originates from major salivary glands. It is a common histologic subtype of primary parotid malignancy. Location in the minor salivary gland is uncommon and occurs in less than 7% of all cases. The majority of CaxPA develops from epithelial component of PA. Salivary gland tumors are known to have a benign clinical behavior with unrecognized metastatic potential. It often poses a diagnostic challenge to clinicians and pathologists. The entity is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Pathologic assessment is the gold standard for making the diagnosis. We present a case of a 55-year-old female patient who had a right preauricular mass of 10 years duration, with sudden onset of pain of duration of 1 month.

How to cite this article

Sharmila PS, Shashikala K, Harish K, Jeychandran P. An Unusual Case of Carcinoma Expleomorphic Adenoma of the Parotid Gland: A Comprehensive Clinicopathological Review. J Med Sci 2015;1(2):44-46.
A Clinical Audit of Quality Indicators in Anesthesia Practice
Authors: Nadakarni Maya , Prakruthi Desi
Published: August 2016

Background

To measure and monitor the quality of care in anesthesia, which is lacking in India. The objective of this audit was to formulate a set of quality indicators and use them to audit our daily anesthetic practice.

Materials and methods

We applied eight quality indicators to audit 4,147 medical records of our hospital. We measured the quality of anesthesia care in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative period by collecting and analyzing the various data.

Results

We found out the weaker areas where quality of anesthesia care could be improved. In 160 (3.85%) patients, preanesthetic check-up was lacking; in 569 (13.72%) patients, anesthesia plan was modified on the day of surgery. A total of 378 (9.11%) patients were ventilated following anesthesia. A total of 123 (2.96%) patients were in recovery room for more than the normal expected time and 187 (4.50%) patients were shifted to the ICU for further intensive care. There was no mortality in our audit findings.

Conclusion

In this audit, we found several areas where improvements could be done. In future, the quality of anesthesia services will be monitored by quality assurance programs using quality indicators, which will improve the perioperative outcome. A dramatic change is expected in anesthesia practice for the betterment of patient care. At present we should try to adopt these practices and improve anesthesia delivery services.

How to cite this article

Nadakarni M, P Desi, H Sahajananda. A Clinical Audit of Quality Indicators in Anesthesia Practice. J Med Sci 2015;1(3):47-51.
A Rare Case of Dermatomyositis with Hyponatremia
Authors: Kumar H Anil , Vikranth V
Published: August 2016

Dermatomyositis is a rare type of inflammatory myopathy that represents the largest group of acquired and potentially treatable cause of skeletal muscle weakness. It is characterized by chronic muscle inflammation accompanied by muscle weakness. Here, we present a case of an elderly female who presented with a history of pain in bilateral arm, forearm, thigh, and leg associated with swelling and with a history of rash over the upper extremities. On examination, edema with tenderness was present on both upper limb and lower limb. We also noticed erythematous rash over the arm, forearm, nose, and forehead. Investigations showed hyponatremia, with elevated Cretatinc phosphokinase levels. Hence, a provisional diagnosis of hyponatremia-induced rhabdomyolysis was made. On further evaluation, urine for myoglobin was negative, and in view of the accompanying rash and minimal improvement with sodium correction a provisional diagnosis of dermatomyositis with hyponatremia/hyponatremia-induced rhabdomyolysis was made. Diagnosis of dermatomyositis was confirmed by the muscle biopsy. Dermatomyositis may be accompanied by hyponatremia and atypical rash. It can also be confused with hyponatremic rhabdomyolysis. Dermatomyositis is also a rare presentation and it may be a paraneoplastic manifestation.

How to cite this article

HAK, V Vikranth. A Rare Case of Dermatomyositis with Hyponatremia. J Med Sci 2015;1(3):58-59.
Anesthetic Management of a Parturient with Congenital Complete Heart Block posted for Emergency Lower Segment Cesarean Section
Authors: Karthik GS , Mamatha R , Sowmya MJ , Venkateshmurthy KT , Sahajananda H
Published: August 2016

Pregnancy complicated with complete heart block is rare and usually required termination of pregnancy in the past. Improvement in medical technology in the form of cardiac pacing has allowed taking these women to term. Overall, maternal and fetal outcome is not affected in asymptomatic cases. We report here an unbooked, pregnant patient presented at 38+ weeks with complete heart block and pregnancy-induced hypertension for emergency lower segment cesarean section (LSCS). Emergency LSCS was performed under general anesthesia. Maternal and fetal outcome was good.

How to cite this article

Mamatha R, Sowmya MJ, Venkateshmurthy, Sahajananda H, Karthik GS. Anesthetic Management of a Parturient with Congenital Complete Heart Block posted for Emergency Lower Segment Cesarean Section. J Med Sci 2015;1(4):74-76.
Global nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer use for agriculture production in the past half century: Shifted hot spots and nutrient imbalance
Authors: Lu Chaoqun , Tian Hanqin
Published: August 2016

Abstract. In addition to enhance agricultural productivity, synthetic nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) fertilizer application in croplands dramatically altered global nutrient budget, water quality, greenhouse gas balance, and their feedbacks to the climate system. However, due to the lack of geospatial fertilizer input data, current Earth system/land surface modeling studies have to ignore or use over-simplified data (e.g., static, spatially uniform fertilizer use) to characterize agricultural N and P input over decadal or century-long period. In this study, we therefore develop a global time-series gridded data of annual synthetic N and P fertilizer use rate in croplands, matched with HYDE 3,2 historical land use maps, at a resolution of 0.5º latitude by longitude during 1900–2013. Our data indicate N and P fertilizer use rates increased by approximately 8 times and 3 times, respectively, since the year 1961, when IFA (International Fertilizer Industry Association) and FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) survey of country-level fertilizer input were available. Considering cropland expansion, increase of total fertilizer consumption amount is even larger. Hotspots of agricultural N fertilizer use shifted from the U.S. and Western Europe in the 1960s to East Asia in the early 21st century. P fertilizer input show the similar pattern with additional hotspot in Brazil. We find a global increase of fertilizer N / P ratio by 0.8 g N / g P per decade (p
Technical note: Multiple wavelet coherence for untangling scale-specific and
localized multivariate relationships in geosciences
Authors: Hu Wei , Si Bing Cheng
Published: August 2016

Abstract. The scale-specific and localized bivariate relationships in geosciences can be revealed using bivariate wavelet coherence. The objective of this study was to develop a multiple wavelet coherence method for examining scale-specific and localized multivariate relationships. Stationary and non-stationary artificial data sets, generated with the response variable as the summation of five predictor variables (cosine waves) with different scales, were used to test the new method. Comparisons were also conducted using existing multivariate methods, including multiple spectral coherence and multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD). Results show that multiple spectral coherence is unable to identify localized multivariate relationships, and underestimates the scale-specific multivariate relationships for non-stationary processes. The MEMD method was able to separate all variables into components at the same set of scales, revealing scale-specific relationships when combined with multiple correlation coefficients, but has the same weakness as multiple spectral coherence. However, multiple wavelet coherences are able to identify scale-specific and localized multivariate relationships, as they are close to 1 at multiple scales and locations corresponding to those of predictor variables. Therefore, multiple wavelet coherence outperforms other common multivariate methods. Multiple wavelet coherence was applied to a real data set and revealed the optimal combination of factors for explaining temporal variation of free water evaporation at the Changwu site in China at multiple scale-location domains. Matlab codes for multiple wavelet coherence were developed and are provided in the Supplement.
Mujeres, consumo de drogas y encarcelamiento. Una aproximación interseccional
Authors: De Miguel Calvo Estibaliz
Published: August 2016

Las investigaciones sobre mujeres presas y sus consumos de drogas son muy escasas en nuestro contexto y necesitan de un utillaje teórico que ayude a la comprensión de sus trayectorias vitales. En el presente artículo pretendo introducir la perspectiva interseccional en las experiencias de las mujeres encarceladas, poniendo especial foco en el consumo de drogas, para lo cual he tomado un relato de vida de una de las mujeres entrevistadas en la cárcel, que nos permita indagar en cómo los ejes de desigualdad que habitualmente se presentan como acumulados en la investigación sobre mujeres presas, se articulan de manera compleja y diversa. La herramienta teórica de la interseccionalidad nos permite adquirir una mayor comprensión al fenómeno de las mujeres encarceladas que han consumido drogas, de manera que se puedan apreciar tanto los condicionamientos estructurales, como las opciones han ido tomando en cada momento dentro de la maraña de circunstancias de desventaja en que se ven inmersas. Esta es una perspectiva que ya estaba presente de manera intuitiva desde los albores de la criminología feminista en el mundo anglosajón y que ahora puede desarrollarse más ampliamente gracias a las nuevas aportaciones en este campo de los estudios de género.
Effect of Salinity Levels (NaCl) on Yield, Yield Components and Quality Content of Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.) Cultivars
Authors: Bahrami Helale , Jafari Amir Ostadi , Razmjoo Jamshid
Published: August 2016

Seeds of ten sesame cultivars (Karaj, Darab, Safiabad, Jiroft, Borazjan, Yellow-white, Felestin, Ultan, Isfahan and Abpakhsh) were sown into soil filled pots in 2008 and 2009. Pots were watered with six levels of salts (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m-1 NaCl) until full maturity. Plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of cultivars were measured. Increasing salinity caused significant reduction in plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of all cultivars. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level. Based on seed oil yield data, Safiabad and Kraj at 0.0038ds.m-1, Safiabad and Ultan at 4.89ds.m-1, Ultan, Safiabad and Darab at 8.61 salinity levels were the superior cultivars. High variability in tolerance to salinity among the tested sesame cultivars suggests that selection of more salt tolerant cultivars for planting or breeding purposes is possible.

Highlights

Effects of contrasting salinity levels (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m-1NaCl) on sesame cultivars were tested. Salinity reduced plant growth and yield and seed oil and protein contents. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level. 
Structural Organization of the Optic Lobe of Grey Breasted Helmeted Guinea Fowl (*Numida meleagris galeata*) at Pre-Hatch Study
Authors: Nathaniel Wanmi , Barth Onyeanusi I. , Oliver Nzalak J. , Tanang Aluwong
Published: August 2016

A total of one hundred and seventy-three fertilized eggs were used for morphometry, gross and histological studies. At day 4 of incubation, the mean body weight of the helmeted guinea fowl embryo was 0.6401 ± 0.0211 g. It was at day 10 of incubation that there was an increase in the whole body weight of the embryo to be 0.8650 ± 0.676 g. The whole brain weight indicated relative increased at day 4 as compared to that of the whole body weight. Graphically, there were steady increase in the body, brain and optic lobe weights. Histologically, cells and neurones that make up the optic lobe is probably as a result of the migration of immature cells from the ventricular neuroepithelium. 
Insights of the Strategic Approach of Global Sourcing and the Modes of International Sourcing Strategies
Authors: Nunes Moema Pereira
Published: August 2016

The modes of international sourcing entry strategies still an unusual research topic in International Business. The different entry modes still not well investigate in the literature. The increase in the research related with Global Sourcing reveal the importance to deeply investigate this subject. Recent research investigated the International Purchasing Offices as part of Global Sourcing. Other modes of international sourcing entry modes still not analyzed with the Global Sourcing and International Sourcing approaches. This article aims to investigate how the conceptual models of Global Sourcing and the modes of international sourcing entry strategies can be integrated. A literature review was made in order to develop this analysis. As a result, we present a set of entry modes that can be related with international sourcing and another list related with Global Sourcing. Though this article is limited by its theoretical approach, the model proposed here could be used to an empirical research.
Morphological Characterization of Ugandan Isolates of Sphaceloma sp. Causing Cowpea Scab Disease
Authors: Afutu Emmanuel , Agoyi Eric E. , Kato Fred , Amayo Robert , Biruma Moses , Rubaihayo Patrick R.
Published: August 2016

Scab is an important fungal disease of cowpea, affecting both young and old tissues including stems, leaves and pods of susceptible cowpea genotypes, leading to significant yield losses of up to 100% under severe infections. Colony characteristics on agar media, symptomatology, phylogenetic affinity of hosts and host range have been used to justify taxonomic distinctions. The correct identification and description of a pathogen is paramount in understanding its control or developing genotypes resistant to it. This study involved the isolation and culture of the scab fungus (Sphaceloma sp.) from infected plant parts (leaves and pods) collected from farmers’ fields across major cowpea growing districts and agro-ecological zones in Uganda. The fungus was characterized using growth habit on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media, conidia features, variability in radial growth rate (mm/day) among the isolates and pathogenicity and virulence of some isolates on 20 selected cowpea genotypes with different levels of resistance. A total of 495 Sphaceloma sp. isolates comprising of 419 from infected leaves and 76 from infected pods were obtained following isolation and culture. There was a wide variation in the isolates based on the amount, nature, colour, depth and rate of mycelia growth, features of conidia and number of septations. Based on the mean incidence, severity, AUDPC and pathogenicity on the 20 genotypes, the isolates were put into three pathogenicity groups. Isolates were mostly slow growing (> 14 days to cover entire 90 mm petri dish). Genotypes NE 31 and NE 70 showed broad spectrum of resistance to the isolates and could therefore be recommended as parental lines in the cowpea breeding programme to develop cultivars with wide horizontal resistance to the scab disease.
Metzlerian and Generalized Metzlerian Matrices: Some Properties and Economic Applications
Authors: Giorgio Giorgi , Zuccotti Cesare
Published: August 2016

In the first part of the paper we consider the main properties, with respectto stability and existence of solutions of multi-sectoral economic models,of Metzlerian and Morishima matrices. In the second part we introducevarious generalized Metzlerian matrices, in order to enlarge the results ofOhyama (1972) in the study of stability and comparative statics for aWalrasian-type equlibrium model.
Veranderingen in de visie op druggebruik – van een strafrechtelijk naar een gezondheidsparadigma
Authors: Trautmann Franz
Published: August 2016

Understanding drug use – the change from the crime to the health or disease paradigm

Various studies show that the views on the drug problem and appropriate policy responses have undergone profound changes from the 1960s onward. This article is analysing one of these changes, the decriminalisation of drug use, reflecting a fundamental change of view: understanding drug use as a health issue and not as crime. A useful heuristic to understand this type of change is Thomas Kuhn’s paradigm concept. He sees a paradigm as a set of beliefs that are shared by a scientific community and accepted by a wider community. A paradigm change is therefore a socio-psychological process rather than rooted in new scientific or research facts.

The author analyses the change from the dominance of a crime to the dominance of a health paradigm reflecting its social-historic context, starting with the widely shared concerns about substance use related health problems in the 20th century. These concerns translated into two different views on the essence of these problems, a crime and a health paradigm. The first served as fundament of the international drug control efforts, resulting in the still governing drug prohibition. Yet, the health paradigm was also of influence from the start and gradually gained weight. From the 1970s onwards the health paradigm became more important as part of a wider reform movement. It started in the Netherlands and the UK as bottom-up process criticising criminalising the users of illicit drugs as inappropriate, detrimental for their health and inhumane. The health paradigm was seen as more appropriate.

The author reflects on the benefits and disadvantages of the health paradigm. Its primary benefit is that it helps to understand the health problems related to drug use. A key disadvantage is its close relationship with the disease paradigm. The latter fits well with the generally negative view on drugs as dangerous or evil. It is encompassing the risk of ‘pathologising’ all forms of drug use and denying phenomena of unproblematic use for, among other things, recreational or spiritual purposes. Like the crime paradigm it can serve for control purposes. The drug user remains subject of control or disciplining policies and is not in charge of his/her own life. An additional problematic issue is that ‘softening’ the approach towards the users seems to be mirrored by a harder, more punitive approach to the producers and sellers of the substances, which are seen as villains, making available the drugs which deserve harsh punishment for ‘devastating’ the lives of users.

The author concludes with a short discussion of the well-being paradigm as possible alternative for the health paradigm. It covers a broader spectrum than the health paradigm and helps to grasp the negative impact of (problem) drug use, reducing well-being, but is also useful in understanding the positive sides, enhancing well-being.
Drugs in rurale gebieden: GHB-gebruik en -handel op het Nederlandse platteland
Authors: Nabben Ton , Korf Dirk J.
Published: August 2016

Drugs in rural areas: the use and trafficking of GHB in Dutch rural communities

GHB is an anaesthetic that in Netherlands since the 1990s is used as a drug by various groups. Although GHB is often defined as a ‘party drug’, particularly in rural areas it is also used in street cultures. GHB is mainly used recreationally, but a minority uses the drug frequently and/or becomes addicted. GHB use and associated problems are disproportionately spread across the Netherlands and are concentrated in certain rural areas (‘trouble spots’), especially in low SES villages or neighbourhoods. Predominantly based on qualitative research, this article describes supply and use of GHB in rural ‘trouble spots’. The profile of experienced current GHB users in rural areas is characterized by a wide age range, a low level of education, often multiple psychosocial problems and poly drug use. They are almost exclusively ‘white’, in majority male users, of whom a large part has been arrested on several occasions. From a supply perspective, GHB could spread quickly because of the short distribution chain, the limited social distance between dealers and users, as well as the closeness an reticence of user groups. Even though as a drug GHB is very different from methamphetamine, there are striking similarities in set and setting characteristics between rural GHB use in the Netherlands and rural methamphetamine use in the US.
Theorizing the New Populism in Eastern Europe: A Look at Bulgaria
Authors: Zankina Emilia
Published: August 2016

This article offers a new theoretical approach to populism that allows for a better understanding of the rise of populism in Eastern Europe and its appearance from across the political spectrum. It argues that populism is a political strategy utilized by personalist parties to reduce the transaction costs of politics by increasing the use of informal political institutions, which have an association with direct and immediate action, and decreasing the use of formal political institutions, which have connotations of slow or non-action. This approach allows for better understanding of voter behavior and voter support for populist parties and introduces a dynamics-based component which helps understand the rise and evolution of populist parties and changes in their voter support, further linking them to changes in the political and economic context. Moreover, highlighting the strategic aspect of populist political behavior, this approach allows for examining the effects of populism on institutions (the transaction cost framework constituting the core of institutional economics), business, and the functioning of democracy. The Bulgarian case is used to illustrate and substantiate this theoretical proposition and to stipulate the effect of populist movements and parties on democracy.
Regeneration of Articular Cartilage by Human ESC-Derived Mesenchymal Progenitors Treated Sequentially with BMP-2 and Wnt5a
Authors: Gibson Jason D. , O’Sullivan Michael B. , Alaee Farhang , Paglia David N. , Yoshida Ryu , Guzzo Rosa M. , Drissi Hicham
Published: August 2016

The success of cell-based therapies to restore joint cartilage requires an optimal source of reparative progenitor cells and tight control of their differentiation into a permanent cartilage phenotype. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) has been extensively shown to promote mesenchymal cell differentiation into chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, developmental studies have demonstrated decreased chondrocyte maturation by Wingless-Type MMTV Integration Site Family, Member 5A (Wnt5a). Thus, we hypothesized that treatment of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived chondroprogenitors with BMP-2 followed by Wnt5a may control the maturational progression of these cells into a hyaline-like chondrocyte phenotype. We examined the effects of sustained exposure of hESC-derived mesenchymal-like progenitors to recombinant Wnt5a or BMP-2 in vitro. Our data indicate that BMP-2 promoted a strong chondrogenic response leading to terminal maturation, whereas recombinant Wnt5a induced a mild chondrogenic response without promoting hypertrophy. Moreover, Wnt5a suppressed BMP-2-mediated chondrocyte maturation, preventing the formation of fibrocartilaginous tissue in high-density cultures treated sequentially with BMP-2 and Wnt5a. Implantation of scaffoldless pellets of hESC-derived chondroprogenitors pretreated with BMP-2 followed by Wnt5a into rat chondral defects induced an articular-like phenotype in vivo. Together, the data establish a novel role for Wnt5a in controlling the progression from multipotency into an articular-like cartilage phenotype in vitro and in vivo.